French Hand-Painted Hare Terrine for the Michel Caugant House circa 1960s–1980s - 8"

This endearing French hand-painted ceramic hare terrine, produced circa 1960s–1980s, was made for the Michel Caugant delicatessen house, closely associated with the golden age of animal-form pâté vessels. The body forms a two-part lidded container, finished in softly mottled tones of gray, taupe, and cream, with a glossy glaze that accentuates the finely modeled fur. Watchful dark eyes and upright ears give the hare an alert, attentive expression, lending the piece both charm and presence.

Hand-produced by partner ceramic workshops for the Caugant brand, pieces such as this were originally created to hold pâtés and terrines, with the animal figure traditionally signaling the contents within. Drawing on a tradition that has been popular in France since the 19th century, Michel Caugant helped revive and popularize these whimsical yet functional ceramics in the mid-20th century, transforming everyday serving ware into highly collectible decorative objects. A label beneath the base reading “registered design” confirms this as a proprietary model made exclusively for the brand.

Beautiful on a farmhouse kitchen shelf or island, it is ideal for holding wrapped treats or small kitchen essentials, and it also works wonderfully as a keepsake box in a child’s room. Group it with other animal terrines to build a playful, curated assortment, or let it stand alone on a dresser, console, or china cabinet. Its gentle palette and timeless silhouette make it especially charming as a centerpiece or accent on Easter tables, bringing warmth and a note of quiet delight to both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Light wear.
Approx. overall 8" high x 7" long x 4¾" wide
Approx. overall 20cm high x 18cm long x 12cm wide