Thomas-Victor Sergent (1830 - 1890)

A career soldier, Thomas Victor, who was friends with the Barbizets, married one of their daughters. He changed careers and, full of enthusiasm, set up his studio in 1876 at 106 Avenue d'Orléans, in Montrouge, south of Paris, where he enjoyed a very productive and flourishing career for around ten years. His early style was quite similar to that of his father-in-law Barbizet, and there is still some confusion between the productions of the two studios. Sergent quickly excelled in the art of ceramics and, like his colleagues, exhibited at the 1873 International Exhibition in Vienna, the 1874 Exhibition in London, the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris, where he won the bronze medal, and then in 1883 at the International Exhibition in Amsterdam.

He was a conscientious and extremely productive artist. He created original forms and compositions of the most varied kinds, ranging from the largest to the smallest subjects. Thomas Victor developed a very plastic clay; his colors were luminous, contrasting, and more vivid and varied than those of his colleagues, while retaining the softness and blending that characterized his work. His glazes are deep with beautiful marbling effects, often mixed with blues and browns. His animals are vigorously modeled and molded, and his style is expressive.

Source: Bernard Palissy and his followers, from the 16th century to the present day, Christine Viennet - Fanton Publishing