A superb white ceramic polar bear, finished in the distinctive shagreen enamel—a finely textured, sharp-grained glaze characteristic of the Manufacture Nouvelle de Faïence.
Height: 28 cm · Length: 33 cm · Width: 22 cm.
This example is in perfect, faultless condition, flawlessly fired and preserving all the subtleties of its original surface.
The piece was designed in 1929 by Paul Sailly for the MNF Sèvres workshops, which between 1929 and 1936 produced a wide range of innovative ceramic works. Among them, the polar bear stands as one of the manufactory’s most iconic creations. The distinctive “shagreen” glaze—named for its resemblance to the small, rounded grain of traditional bookbinding leather—enhances the sculptural purity of the form.
Beyond its technical excellence, this model epitomises the period in which the workshop created numerous animal subjects; of these, the polar bear remains the most coveted by collectors.
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