Antique ceramic vase with Playing Card, gambling theme. Made in France by Jean Barol at his B.A.C.S company in Vallauris (where Picasso worked), circa 1912-1917.  

Measures 8 1/2 inches tall.  Total width is 5 3/4 inches. Diameter of upper rim is 4 1/4 inches.

Small round base. Long, ovoid body with 4 protruding wedges, reminescent of the buttresses on Gothic architecture. The surface is a wonderful display of highly

iridescent, matte and enamelled techniques, with the addition of a graphic theme in the front. Narrow upper surface is matte, clearly hand-painted in shades of deep

blue and allowing the green to almost drip into the blue in areas. Below is a band of enamelled decoration, which also contains the 4 wedges. A black/grey matte

ground with shiny enamelling in blue in the form of a ring of elongated hearts. The area between the hearts underneath is filled with a geometric pattern contrasting

the matte black with bright orange, in turn a direct compliment to the blue, so it stands out wonderfully. Very subtle play of forms lead the eye up and down the

pattern. The 4 wedges, in blue glaze, add a great deal of interest to the form. Below this is a very wide band, covering more than half of the vase, with a superb

iridescence. In front, covering much of this section and overlapping into the upper heart-pattern area, is a pair of playing cards, featuring the King of Hearts

(Charles) and the Queen of Spades. Exquisitely depicted in coloured enamels. The workmanship and artistic quality of the vase is superb.

Signed Barol near the bottom, to the right of the Queen. 

Very good, original condition. No chips/cracks/damage/restoration of any sort was found.