Toussaint René LE DANOIS (early 18th century) - Lot 86

Toussaint René LE DANOIS (early 18th century) VINDEFONTAINE, 1734 An exceptional and rare fountain Red clay, brown glaze, with kaolin highlights. Signed and dated on the spout: “Made by Toussaint René Le Danois, known as Le Doux de Vindefontaine, 1734” Handles shaped like leopards, fleurs-de-lis at the neck, decorated with deer, dogs, an ape-like mask, and small figures... Height: 58 cm Length: 37 cm Width: 30 cm Restored; missing a piece from the base. Notes: This fountain was reproduced in LE POITEVIN & LEBERRUYER, *Poteries et céramiques du Cotentin*, pp. 207–208, 1983: “This is the inscription that appears on the back.” Signed and dated, this fountain is at once classical and untamed, refined and primitive. It can be considered a venerable ancestor of the Vindefontaine fountains, which would soon be turned on their sides rather than standing upright. The oldest known fountain (or at least the one with the earliest date) predating this one by two years is owned by the ATP Museum. It bears the following inscription dated July 22, 1732: ‘“I was made in Akester (Aprester?) by a man named Toussaint LE DANOIS of Vindefontaine in Bostois. Vindefontaine, 1732.” Provenance: Private collection in Normandy, Cotentin