Varages - Rare Pitcher "the Marriage Contract" - Eighteenth Century

Water pitcher in Varages earthenware decorated with an amusing polychrome scene animated by four characters evoking 
"The Marriage Contract".This scene represents the young woman sealing the contract with the gentleman, the young woman advances 
on the table her endowment of three bags of crowns. The father with a parasol in his hand seems to want to protect these young people from
the sad gaze of a young man represented under the spout of the pitcher, an ousted suitor ? 
This decoration is attributed to the painter François Laurens who did his apprenticeship in Moustiers, whom he left for Varages in 1771 and
married Elisabeth Nielle, daughter of the owner of the factory. The style of this painter can be found on certain earthenware pieces from Lyon.
We therefore assume that François Laurens also worked in Lyon after his stay in Varages. 
High: 25cm 
Eighteenth century 
Good condition, just the tip of the cover and two chips at the base restored.
- Featured in the exhibition "Provençal earthenware - Treasures from private collections in Grasse" in 1992. Label No. 304. 
- Former collection of Colonel Bertrand. 
- Reproduced in the book "Faïenciers de VARAGES" by P. Bertrand. Page 222. 
Additional information and photos on request.