Rouen Faience, Blue & White Platter with 'Cul Noir', 19th century

A large 19th-century French faience platter from Rouen. It is decorated with a basket of flowers in a camaieu of blue and white. The lip features a frieze of criss-cross patterns alongside strokes inside a black line. The underside is covered with a ‘cul' noir’, a darker glaze applied to enhance solidity. A beautifully rustic piece with a vibrant decor, its large size makes it a great addition to a shelf or hung on the wall.