Bidet

The bidet stands on four curved, bent and carved legs. Its stretched oval shape resembles the piece made by Simon Oeben, which can now be found in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. However, the decoration of the exhibited one is much richer. The sides of the broad seat rail show foliage composed in a cartouche. The front has a similar cartouche with wreath, a horn of plenty, quiver and arrows. The back support forms a lute the folding top is covered with leather, hiding a toilete and compartments. The bowl follows the shape of the bidet it is painted with blue flowers against a white background. Marked with an S and P, turned upside down. In the case of the bowl, the material, the production technique, the lustreless tin glaze, its strict lines, faded colour and lustreless surface all suggest that it was made in Rouen. As to the identity of the painter, it could be Simone Pierre Pin, who was working in a Rouen faience manufacture between 1749 and 1787, where they made mainly pieces showing the influence of Delft.