French Terracotta Tian Bowl Provence Vintage Pottery Cicada 1407266

French Provence Cicada Bowl

Handmade in France, this French Provence cicada bowl is a classic example of southern French folk pottery, crafted in the tradition of Provencal terracotta ware. The tian form — a wide, shallow dish with a broad flat rim — has long been associated with the Provence region, used for both cooking and serving. The cicada motif painted across the interior is a well-known symbol of Provence, deeply rooted in the region's rural identity and celebrated in local craft since the 19th century.

The interior is covered in a rich ochre glaze, warm and even across the wide basin, with a contrasting olive-green band running along the broad flanged rim. Scattered across the interior are five hand-painted cicadas rendered in dark olive and black, each with distinctly outlined wings — a motif applied with a confident, practiced hand. The glaze shows fine crazing across the base of the bowl, consistent with age and use, and the piece sits on a small footed ring base. The exterior and underside retain the same amber-yellow glaze, fully covering the terracotta body. No maker's mark or stamp is visible on the base, though a partial paper label remnant is present. The piece is in used condition with minor surface wear and light crazing; no chips or cracks are observed in the photos.

The bowl measures 31cm in diameter and 9.5cm in height, equivalent to approximately 12.2" across and 3.7" tall. This is a generously sized serving or display piece, suited to a central position on a dining table or sideboard.

A practical and decorative object, this French Provence cicada bowl would suit a Provencal-themed interior or a collection of regional French pottery. The cicada subject remains popular among collectors of southern French decorative ceramics and rustic country antiques.

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