Ceramics & Glass
Charles Catteau for Boch Frères Keramis Art Deco Ceramic Vase
Charles Catteau for Boch Frères Keramis Art Deco Ceramic Vase
A striking Art Deco vase designed by Charles Catteau for Boch Frères Keramis as part of the celebrated Atelier de Fantaisie collection produced in La Louvière, Belgium. The rounded form is decorated with bold geometric panels outlined in raised relief and filled with rich shades of cobalt blue, turquoise, yellow, and white. The colorful decoration stands out beautifully against the softly crackled glaze of the body.
Catteau was one of the most important ceramic designers of the Art Deco period, and much of his work helped anticipate the explosion of geometric and stylized decoration that defined the 1920s. He studied at the renowned National School of Ceramics in Sèvres, France, before joining Boch Frères in 1906. The company had been producing ceramics since the nineteenth century but was looking for a fresh artistic direction.
Within a short period, Catteau became one of the leading designers associated with the Atelier de Fantaisie, where he developed an imaginative range of decorative ceramics using strong outlines, stylized forms, and richly colored glazes. The technique often described as ceramic cloisonné allowed individual patterns to be clearly defined and then filled with brilliant enamel colors.
This vase is a fine example of Catteau’s ability to combine geometry, color, and surface decoration into a design that remains remarkably modern more than a century later.
Charles Catteau Exhibiting a Monumental Work at the 1925 Paris Exposition des Arts Décoratifs
By the time of the 1925 Paris Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, Charles Catteau was already well established and producing an extraordinary range of ceramics in distinctive shapes, patterns, and richly colored decorative treatments. His participation in this landmark exhibition helped confirm his importance within the emerging Art Deco movement.
Over the years, numerous books, publications, museum exhibitions, and major collections have brought greater recognition to Catteau’s remarkable body of work. Today, he is considered one of the most important ceramic designers of the Art Deco period.
We are pleased to offer a varied collection of Charles Catteau ceramics, including this particular design, which we currently have available in two sizes.
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