A really special piece. This is a beautifully detailed antique plaster French press mold. Rare. The mold of which there is only one, would have been carved by a master carver & used by a French ceramics house to create trompe-l'œil faience or terra cotta fish plaques as well as decorative elements for building facades, fountains, or large culinary storage areas in the late 18 through early 1900's.
A production cataloque number is pressed on the upper right. The makers cartouche, on the lower right 'RKFinke' and the location of the pottery in France 'Jargeau.' It stands well so displays easily on it's own or could be mounted in a floating frame, if hanging is preferred. Measures 13" x 6" x 2."
*Of interest both the interior and exterior are very heavy plaster. The exterior aged simply with hands, history & air. The interior aged to that delightful putty grey due to the oxides from the clay being pressed into the interior mold.
