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From the early 1920s, this beautiful and hand-painted Art Deco earthenware vase is decorated with two hunting herons wading in the waving water, all wrapping the body of this magnificent piece. This lucky and special vase was produced for Boch Frères in La Louvière. Standing at a height of 12” and a width of 8 1/2” a perfectly shaped piece of art that offers a purposeful story for all who hold it dear.

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Here’s a look at Charles Catteau (France, 1880-1966). He studied at the National School of Ceramics in Sèvres graduating in 1903. The artist moved to La Louvière, Belgium in 1906 where he was a major designer for Boch Frères Keramis, quickly becoming director of Atelier de Fantaisie. He was a teacher, designer, and innovator addressing technique, painting, and forms of reproduction so art may live in any home, any place, by anyone. Placing specific guidelines for the oversight and completion of his works at Boch Frères, Catteau emphasized instructions for the model, pattern, coloring and composition of each piece. He combined creativity with mass production. ‘He created timeless pieces for many years and over time, his signature, stamped on every piece produced, became a business asset. [He] did not design all of the pieces, but he supervised the models, colors, composition of the glazes and their shine. It was Catteau who defined the public face of the Boch company, becoming known to everyone as “The man of Keramis”.’

For the work above, the base is marked with 'Keramis made in Belgium'. All markings, stamps, incisions, and so forth attest to the object’s important provenance.

Sources: https://www.heritage-kbf.be/