pls help me identify the maker

[sugarcube]

I have tried to find out about this for the last few years-even with the writing on it I can't find it

any ideas??

[KevinB]

I think this was made by Jerome Massier a French maker. He made lots of things with Cicadas on them with very similair colors. Hope this helps.

[sugarcube]

is that what that bug is?  I thought it was a grasshopper!

So thank you for this info now I may be able to find more about it.

[KevinB]

I don't know my antiques very well but I know my insects and other critters. Its deffinately a Cicada. Good luck with the search. 

[sugarcube]

I'm doing the usual ebay search, prices are all over the place but I don't see this particular piece

can you judge the approx age of it? 

[KevinB]

Well if it was made by Jerome Massier I think it would be approximately 100 years old or so. I think I remember reading he worked from 1891 to 1919.

I did find a few pieces made by an Italian that also had Cicadas on them. You said there was writing on it? Pics of the writing might help date it and make sure it was really made by Massier.

[sugarcube]

if you hit the picture you can see it, but all I can get out of it was AVI--it has what looks like an O !

I hope it's legitimate

[KevinB]

Ok sorry I see the writing. I have no clue but I'm pretty confident someone else will be able to help.

[mart]

Is anything on the bottom of your planter and can you take a pic of the bottom ?? This looks like someones hobby project !!  Looks like that name was painted on after it was fired !!  That is the reason it has worn off !!

[sugarcube]

live and learn there is a mark on the back

plus a pic of the bottom

[mart]

I cant read the letters of the mark !! But from the unfinished look of the bottom,,I still think its someones hobby piece !! There used  to be a hobby shop on every corner where you could buy greenware, paint it yourself or take a class, then the shop would fire it for you at a reasonable cost of course !!

[cogar]

He made lots of things with Cicadas on them

A commonly used name for those "bugs" is ....... Locust, ..... as in 17-Year Locust, ....... but they are not a true Locust. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada

The last "coming-out-party" they had where I live in WV was in 2000 I believe. So, another 5 years and they will be crawling out of the ground by the "tens of thousands" to start their incessant "screeching" to attract a mate.

[sapphire]

I 'think' your maker may be Jacques Sicard ..... going to see if I can find an example of his signature. Take another look on yours to see if could be Sicard.

http://polarbearstale.blogspot.com/2011/08/cicada-vase-by-jacques-sicard-1865-1923.html

[sapphire]

Found the same vase showing a mark on the bottom. I wonder if yours had one that was worn off, or the mark on the heel was put there as it would likely have worn off. It doesn't match the one in this......but could it be possible??

This sold for $110

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7581628

[sapphire]

Another......


http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/237603

This view of it you can zoom in and there is another 'name' near the lower bowl area.....possibly a company or design?

http://www.millersantiquesguide.com/items/149536/sicard-vallauris-cicada-vase/