Biscuit Turkey – Sèvres National Porcelain Manufactory, 1926

An elegant white porcelain biscuit figurine of a naturalistic turkey, made at the Sèvres National Manufactory. This model was designed in the 1920s by the Japanese sculptor Ytiga (Itiga) Noumata (1873-1954), an animal artist active in Sèvres during the Art Deco period. Impressed marks under the base: – S 1926 DN (official mark of the Sèvres National Manufactory, dating 1926). – Oval stamp "Made in France" for pieces intended for export. – Molded Japanese inscription ending with the character 作 (saku, "made by"), corresponding to Noumata's signature, frequently found on his animal models. Hard-paste, unglazed porcelain (biscuit), with very fine modeling and a matte texture reminiscent of marble. A piece of great finesse illustrating the collaboration between Sèvres and foreign artists in the 1920s, and the taste of the era for the naturalistic representation of animals.