Jules LAVALLE (1860-1880) - Premières earthenware Slightly convex circular earthenware plate with polychrome enamelled decoration of a river at the foot of a mountain. Signed in the decoration. Stencilled mark on the back "JL" with caduceus. Diam. 34.5 cm. Minor scratches on the lower part and small chips on the rim. Note: Founded by François Pignant in 1795, this factory in the Côte d'Or produced designs that attracted a great deal of interest, particularly at the 1806 Exhibition of French Industrial Products. It was in 1857 that Pignant's grandson, Jules Lavalle, who at the time had a varied career as a doctor, politician and botanist, took over management of the factory.