Blue and White Pitcher, Belgian Straw Flower Pattern
Blue and White Pitcher, Belgian Straw Flower Pattern
Vintage Boch Frères Keramis pitcher in the blue and white "Meissen" straw flower pattern, made in La Louvière, Belgium. The pattern name is the interesting part. "Meissen" here refers to the decor, the sprig of straw flowers with trailing stems that Continental potteries copied from the famous German original, not to the German Meissen factory. This is Belgian faience, transfer printed and then touched by hand, on a tapered body with an angular handle and a pinched spout.
[d]Dimensions | 7 in H x 6 in W x 4.75 in D
[d]Surface | Original glaze with overall crazing
[d]Primary Material | Faience (glazed earthenware)
[d]Period | Early 20th century
[d]Date | Circa 1920
[d]Origin | La Louvière, Belgium
[d]Style | Blue and white, straw flower pattern
[d]Also Known As | Strohblumen or Immortelle pattern
[d]Maker | Boch Frères Keramis (B.F.K.)
[d]Mark | Printed blue B.F.K. MEISSEN BELGIQUE to the underside
[d]Technique | Transfer printed with hand-applied color
[condition]
The pitcher is in good vintage condition with honest signs of age and use. There is overall crazing to the glaze across the body, which is normal aging for faience of this type and not damage. Light gray and brown staining runs through some of the crazing lines and across the interior, consistent with age and use. The unglazed footrim shows light soiling and minor wear. The blue decoration is crisp and complete with no significant fading. No chips or cracks are visible in the images provided, and the piece rings clear when tapped, which indicates no hairline. The dealer paper label on the body can be removed. Please review all photos, they form part of the condition report.
Attribution note: the maker mark is clear and reads B.F.K. Meissen Belgique. "Meissen" is the Boch pattern name, not the German factory. The dealer label dates it "fin 19ème" (late 1800s), but the BELGIQUE country mark and printed backstamp are consistent with the early to mid 20th century, so I have dated it conservatively.
#186