Unknown French maker, 36 cm

Sometimes you see something so intriguing you just buy it and ask questions later. Such is the case with the unknown party here, which came out of France. It has some of the hallmarks of Marius Bessone, the Vallauris ceramist known for his signed works featuring organic, primary-colored shapes etched onto a background of foamy white. Alas, this piece has only a faint white “V” (probably standing for Vallauris) on the base, so it is unlikely to be his. Nevertheless, it is a wonder to behold, with the natural world present in features such as the ameoba-like red spot and a neck like a gnarled tree oozing sap. Made by an unknown artist, peut-être, but not one lacking in talent.