French Bulldog. Glazed Ceramic. Joseph Filmont. Caen. Bavent Potteries. Early 20th Century.

Glazed ceramic sculpture of a French bulldog. Glass eyes. Signed J. Filmont in Caen. Good condition with minor restored chips (ears and paw. See photos). 27 x 25.5 x 12 cm. J. Filmont established a pottery and architectural ceramics business in Caen at the very end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, his factory was located at 4 rue Bosnières. He produced "flat tiles and all roofing accessories" in Bavent, at a place called Les Bruyères. Its early 20th-century catalog emphasizes the production of architectural ceramics: ridge tiles, chimney pots, cat flaps, gargoyles, roof tiles, ridge finials, as well as ornamental animals and figures: snails, cats, dogs, squirrels, owls, pigeons, dragons, etc. The company's reputation was genuine: it won a vermeil medal in Caen in 1901; a gold medal at the Industrial Exhibition in Évreux in 1903; and a gold medal at the Housing Exhibition in Paris in 1903. The factory closed in 1936.