Ask an Expert
From a colourful bowl found in a charity shop to a botanical painting originating in France, this month’s experts uncover the mysteries of two intriguing pieces...
Bowled Over
I bought a bowl in a charity shop that caught my eye because it was so colourful and bold. It seems to be of considerable age but other than that I’m at a loss. It measures about nine inches across and appears to have three stilt marks on the upper rim. I wonder if one of your experts may be able to help date it and tell me where it may be from. Amanda Pearson, East Sussex
This is a pottery bowl with a thick tin glaze, sponge-decorated with an abstract floral design. One of the advantages of tin glaze is that it can cover a coarse pottery body, leaving a smooth and attractive surface. Tin glazes were used throughout Europe in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and, depending on the country of origin, were referred to by several names including Del # (Holland and England), faience (France and Spain), and
maiolica (Italy). Looking at the colour and design on this bowl, it is most likely that it was made in Spain in the early part of the 19th century. Considering the condition is fairly good, its value lies between £ 40 and £60. BF
In Bloom
I recently bought this painting and would love to know more about the artist. It’s signed ‘Lucienne’ and the person who sold it to me bought it in France. He mentioned that he thought it had been painted by the young daughter of a famous French artist – can you enlighten me? Elizabeth Crooke, via email
This work is by 20th- century artist Lucienne Ott, who was the daughter of the French artist Lucien Ott. Little is known about Lucien Ott and even less about Lucienne, but he was a gi #ed draughtsman. He worked mainly in watercolour, pastel or chalk and pen and ink but was also an engraver, influenced by Henri Rivière, and trained under printmaker and art historian Loÿs Delteil. His preference was for delicate landscapes but he also painted lively still lifes and portraits of his friends and family.
Lucienne’s painting shows in "uences from her father’s work, not least in the monogram that bears many similarities to Lucien’s. Her Twentieth-century French artist Lucienne Ott painted these elegant stems.
style is naïve, yet follows in the tradition of great botanical artists such as Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Elizabeth Blackwell. The value is fairly small in the current market at around £30-£50. JB