French Ceramic Cicada Figurine Hand-Painted Black Orange Vintage 06102633

French ceramic cicada figurine

A French ceramic cicada figurine -- la cigale, the southern French cicada long celebrated in Provence as a regional emblem -- hand-painted in a bold palette of glossy black and amber orange against cream-toned wings. Probably produced circa the 1970s, this type of painted ceramic cicada was widely made by small French ateliers in the Provence and Languedoc regions as a decorative collectible. The form belongs to a well-established tradition of French country craft production centered on this insect motif.

The figurine is modeled in the round with a rounded, bulbous head dominated by two raised amber orange eye-spots and a broad amber collar stripe crossing the thorax. The folded wings are rendered in a cream to sandy-tan glaze with a dense network of black veining lines replicating the insect's actual wing cell structure. The dorsal surface carries a high-gloss finish; the underside is unglazed off-white ceramic. No maker's mark, stamp or label is visible in any photo. The head and body appear hand-applied with paint over the glaze, consistent with workshop production of that era.

Condition is consistent with age and use. The underside shows moderate soiling, surface scuffs and areas of glaze loss or discoloration across the wing surface. Small holes are visible at the top of the head, likely original suspension or mounting holes. No chips or cracks are visible on the decorated dorsal surface. Normal age wear throughout. Sold as pictured.

26 cm in length. Lightweight ceramic. Suited to shelf or mantel display, or mounted on a wall via the head holes as was traditional. Sold as a decorative collectible; it has not been tested for food use.

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