This boat-shaped gravy boat with a pouring spout is a piece of tableware of accomplished understatement. The fine ivory-cream earthenware, luminous and soft, is highlighted by the body with strongly defined vertical fluting and the two-lobed undulating rim, which give the piece its natural elegance. The oval scalloped stand is integral to the gravy boat. The decoration is reduced to the essential: a chocolate-brown line runs along the edge of the gravy boat and the stand, with small scrollwork volutes on the sides of the stand. Nothing superfluous. The beauty of the piece relies entirely on the quality of the ivory faience and the perfection of its form. This is characteristic of great European manufacturers of the late 19th century, when form alone was sufficient to convey everything. The piece comes from the Villeroy and Boch Wallerfangen factory, whose crowned eagle mark appears on the underside in blue-green. Wallerfangen, in Saarland, is one of the historic factories of the Villeroy and Boch group, founded in 1789. This eagle mark was used in the second half of the 19th century, circa . The stand measures 20 cm in length. The gravy boat measures 10 cm in interior width and 9 cm in height. Good overall condition. Light signs of use on the interior and fine glaze crazing on the body, normal for its age. Chocolate line intact.
Additional details:
- Material: Faïence
- Colour: ivoire crème
- Colour: brun-chocolat
- Period: fin XIXe siècle