Pair of antique Sarreguemines majolica pedestals

While these pedestals are designed in the form of classical columns, their decoration wholly departs from classical convention.

Set on brown, square plinths, the pedestals stand on yellow, stylised lion feet. Their bases are decorated with oversized green leaves, which are tied with red bands. From the leaves, there emerges the pedestal shafts. These feature brown-coloured, bark-like patterns and central yellow bands, decorated with dancing figures and mythological creatures. Each pedestal is topped by a capital, composed of a foliate green neck, a yellow, fluted echinus and a brown slab-like abacus.

The pedestals are marked with an impressed, ‘MAJOLICA/ SARREGUEMINES’. The Sarreguemines factory was established in c.1784 by Nicholas-Henri, Paul-Augustin Jacobi and Joseph Fabry. The company flourished in the 19^th Century under the management of Paul Utzschneider, who was awarded a Légion d’Honneur by Napoleon I.

Sarreguemines majolica is characterised by its earthy hues (browns, beige, yellows, greens), and vegetal relief decoration. Because of their unique style, Sarreguemines pottery was, and continue to be, highly collectable.