Ridge Pigeon - Nevers Earthenware - 18th Century

Rare Nevers Earthenware Ridge Pigeon from the end of the 18th century. Intended to adorn the ends of a roof, the latter has a function of waterproofing the frame, often above a gable. They often appear in wrought iron, zinc pieces, or even in terracotta, sometimes glazed, but rarely in earthenware. The latter, in the shape of a pigeon, is cracked on the back, and was probably restored due to an old break. It still has its yellow, blue, orange and black polychromy. 2 holes are visible at the base to attach it to the frame.

According to various sources, they are used for purely decorative reasons or to scare away other birds. It displays a flaming heart pierced with arrows, a symbol of love, but more precisely, taking up the spiritual idea of transverberation, the stage of penetration of the faithful by Christ, of purification. The object is dated 1770, and bears the mention "AUX ARCHETS", likely testimony to the place of production, south of Nevers, in Berry, in the hamlet of Archers / Le Châtelet, a pottery hamlet present since the 17th century, and accessible today via a museum.

This testimony is unique although in the 18th century there were around ten pottery workshops in the surroundings of the hamlet. Such pieces are visible in the collections of the Nevers earthenware museum, but without such a mention attesting to the geographical production.