Unk. French manufacturer, prob. 60s, stamped “Vallauris;” approx. 20cm

I need to meet the owner of the ceramics firm who authorized this bizarre design so I can try and understand what he or she was thinking. “We need a new flower vase… any ideas? Yes, you in the back, what is it? A vase modeled on the hand which holds women’s rings? Hmm… we already make the hand… we just need to add a hole for flowers… then add some psychedelic glaze… SOLD!” Whatever the origin, it is yet another demonstration of how prevalent the influence of the West German ceramic industry of the 60s was — the glaze would have been right at home on any number of WGP pieces of the time. Whether this brash hand found a home in many French mid-century bedrooms, oh là là, that is another matter altogether.