Cracked earthenware elephants, L. François (1882 - 1965)

Animal sculpture in cream cracked earthenware, representing the mother and her baby elephant.

Signed L. François* on the terrace. Manufactured by the Saint-Radegonde factory, stamped below.

Sold by “le Printemps” department store in 1931.

Dimensions: 28.9 x 43.7 cm.

Typically art deco in subject, material and representation.

Excellent condition.

Appears in the book “Craquelés, Les animaux en céramique 1920-1940”, P. Malaureille, Massin éd, Paris, 1993, pg 64-65.

*L. François is the signature of François Levallois (Douai 1882 – 1965), who worked as a decorator at the Manufacture de Sèvres before taking over the management of Saint-Radegonde in 1930.