French Mid-20th Century Folding Table w/ Vibrant Vallauris Ceramic Cockerel Plaque - 51¼"

An eye-catching French mahogany tilt-top table dating to the 1960s, distinguished by a beautifully handcrafted ceramic plaque signed J. Picard. Set into the circular top, the richly glazed inset depicts a stylized cockerel surrounded by foliage in warm tones of ochre, rust, cream, and chocolate brown. The bold graphic design and textured glazes create a striking contrast with the warm mahogany, while the simple trestle base balances the richly decorative ceramic with the clean, functional lines of mid-century country furniture. The wood has developed a rich, mellow patina and displays a stable age-related shrinkage crack across the top, while the ceramic plaque remains in excellent condition. 

Signed by the ceramist J. Picard, the ceramic plaque reflects the flourishing tradition of Vallauris pottery that transformed the Côte d'Azur into the heart of French artistic ceramics during the post-war decades. Richly textured glazes, bold stylized forms, and earthy Mediterranean colours are hallmarks of this celebrated production. The expressive cockerel, one of France's most enduring emblems and a favourite Provençal motif, is rendered with confident linework and vibrant glazes that showcase the artisan's skills.

The ceramic inset gives the table the presence of a decorative artwork without compromising its practicality, offering comfortable seating for four and room for up to six on occasion. When folded, the ceramic plaque reads almost like a framed artwork, making the table just as appealing as a decorative object when not in use.