A highly characterful French glazed terracotta model of a snail, attributed to the Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent, Normandy.

The hollow-moulded figure is naturalistically modelled with an elongated, richly glazed brown body and a deeply ribbed spiral shell decorated in mottled ochre, yellow, cream, grey and green glazes. Particularly appealing are the four separately inserted metal tentacles—two longer optical stalks and two shorter sensory feelers—which give the snail an unusually animated expression.

The underside bears an incised BAVENT workshop mark together with an impressed MADE IN FRANCE export mark. The small concealed aperture beneath the neck is understood to be a manufacturing vent associated with the hollow construction, rather than a functional opening.

Bavent pottery was established in Normandy in the nineteenth century and became particularly known for architectural terracotta, roof ornaments and naturalistic glazed animal figures. The pottery continues to produce decorative terracotta animals today.

Details

Maker: Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent

Origin: Bavent, Normandy, France

Date: Circa 1940–1960

Material: Glazed terracotta with metal inserts

Marks: Incised BAVENT; impressed MADE IN FRANCE

Dimensions:

20 cm long × 11.5 cm deep × 10 cm high

Condition

Good decorative vintage condition, with surface wear consistent with age and manufacture including oxidation and wear to the metal tentacles. The tentacles appear longstanding and are original to the piece No obvious major cracks or significant structural restoration are apparent from the photographs.

Price breakdown: French Bavent glazed terracotta snail - £245, Courier/Delivery Fee UK MAINLAND ONLY - £20