CLERMONT-FERRAND - - Lot 156

CLERMONT-FERRAND - Large octagonal earthenware dish decorated in blue monochrome in the center with the coat of arms of the Clary de Saint-Angel family: d'Azur, with a golden chevron, surmounted by a silver crescent and accompanied in chief by two golden keys and in base by a golden sun. The supports are formed by two "savages" encircled by foliage, each holding a club. The wing is decorated with foliage. 18th century Length : 53.5 cm (Firing defects and small chips). History: This dish belonged to Martial Clary de Saint-Angel (1709-1776), advisor to the Cour des Aides. He succeeded his father, M. Charles Clary, following his resignation on March 21, 1735. The history of this family is linked to the Château de Biens-Assis, which no longer exists. This 15th-century château once belonged to Florin Périer, Blaise Pascal's brother-in-law. Pascal stayed here in 1652, and again from May to August 1660, where he is said to have taken notes for Trois discours sur la condition des grands. It was to this château that his sister, Gilberte Périer, took the autographs of the Pensées in 1664, which were kept in the book cabinet for fifty years. The château was sold in 1702 to the Clary de Saint-Angel family. Although it is generally accepted that the buyer was Martial, chronology indicates that it was his father, Charles, who should be considered the family's first owner. It is also possible that the dish subsequently belonged to Martial's son. While genealogy sites only attribute a daughter, Jeanne, to him, the *Mémoires de l'Académie des sciences, belles-lettres et arts de Clermont-Ferrand* mention a certain Charles, abbot and vicar general of Saint-Flour, canon of Clermont-Ferrand cathedral, and last dean in 1789. He was also chaplain to Madame Sophie de France from 1777 to 1782. A pastel portrait of him can be seen at the Musée d'Art Roger-Quillot in Clermont-Ferrand (inv. 996).