Theodore Deck (French, 1823-1891). A large faience decorated earthenware center bowl or console bowl of ovular form on a short ring foot, body with hand painted decoration on tondo with blue, gold, and brown birds in flight and resting on a foliate branch beside white chrysanthemum blossoms and smaller blue flowers on vivid blue sky, the alternate side with continued bird and floral decoration, each shoulder applied with sculptural intertwined lizard loop handles under a scalloped rim with black decoration on ochre ground bordered by solid conforming iron red band. Underside of vessel with impressed and colored maker's mark "TH - DECK" with the first two letters as a cipher, also with indistinct mark impressed above. Approximate height 4.75", width across handles 16.5", depth 8.375".

Wear commensurate to age and use. Some overall chipping, glaze losses, pock marks, soiling, and fleabites, especially to rim, base, and handles. Large approximately 1" chip to rim, and loss to dragon head on one handle. Some pock marks and smudges to interior. Adhesive residue to bottom, in additional to typical shelf wear. No other visible signs of damage or repair.