For your consideration is this glazed & painted earthenware platter done by renowned French ceramist Émile Diffloth (1856-1933) in the late 19th / early 20th century. Émile Auguste Diffloth (1856–1933) was a famous French ceramist and decorator known for his contributions to early twentieth-century ceramics. Born on June 2, 1856, in Couleuvre, Allier, France, Diffloth polished his creative abilities under the guidance of his father, Albert Diffloth, and the renowned sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. Diffloth's career was characterized by important collaborations and teaching positions. He worked as the artistic director for Boch Frères Keramis, a well-known Belgian pottery in La Louvière, where he influenced European ceramic design. In 1910, he moved to University City, Missouri, at the invitation of fellow ceramist Taxile Doat, to teach ceramic methods and chemistry at the School of Ceramic Arts. Following his time in the United States, Diffloth returned to France and continued to develop and display his work. He was a member of the Société des Artistes Françaises and exhibited his ceramics in a number of important places, including the Musée Galliera in Paris and shows in Antwerp, Brussels, Liège, and Saint-Louis. Diffloth's work is distinguished by its creative glazes and forms, which show both aesthetic beauty and technical competence. His works have been exhibited at places such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which houses examples of his vases created at University City Pottery. This platter is large and was hand crafted by Diffloth and hand painted with a beautiful nature scene showing a chicken and a rooster in vivid colors. Flowers adorn the edges of the platter and Diffloth's signature can be seen on the backside of the platter reading, "E.D.". The platter is set on a wood stand for easy show casing. The platter shows good condition overall with slight wear present from its age and use over the years, but no signs of damage are noted. It measures 19 5/8" L x 19 5/8" W x 1 5/8" D and weighs 6 pounds and 12 ounces.