Ceramic French Rooster by Dominique Pouchain (c. 1990s)
Ceramic French Rooster(s) by Dominique Pouchain (c. 1990s). This whimsical coq is pure joy to look at and to display. The artist himself indicated he had so much fun in its creation. The body is flat black with etched markings; the wings, tail, headdress and beak are glazed in green. The disproportionately large feet provide a visual grounding as well as stability for the piece. These works of art are for both serious collectors and for those who simply love a beautiful piece in their home. This rooster may be purchased individually or with its pair as seen in the photos. Please enquire about pricing for purchasing both. In perfect condition.
One of the national emblems of France, the Coq Gaulois (the Gallic Rooster) decorated French flags during the Revolution. It is the symbol of the French people because of the play on words of the Latin gallus meaning Gaul and gallus meaning coq, or rooster.
The rooster has been used as an ornament on church bell towers in France since the early Middle Ages, but at that time it was probably used to symbolise vigilance as roosters are known to crow at the expectation of the sunrise. The Gallic Rooster has been used for centuries by folk artists as a decorative motif on ceramics or carved and veneered wooden furniture. Since 1848, the rooster has been seen on the seal of the Republic; it was used from 1899 as a motif on gold 20 franc coins and it occasionally appears on stamps. It is the emblem of French sports teams in international competitions.
About the artist: French artist Dominique Pouchain was born in 1956, son of well-known ceramicist Jacques Pouchain. Dominique initially created utilitarian pottery but soon after started working on his first animal sculptures. His exhibition at the Atelier des Arts in Paris in 1985 was very fruitful and garnered him the support of three prominent Parisian galleries. In 1989, after the opening of the Galerie in Dieulefit, Pouchain moved from working on functional pieces in favour of sculpture. He has not looked back and is now collected internationally.
Dimensions:
H 43.5 cm
L 35 cm
D 14 cm