Rare French Antique Enamelware Pitcher
This delightful enamelware pitcher, circa 1910, is from Provence. An unusual shade of green, it is handpainted, depicting a winter scene complete with a snow topped roof.
French enamelware was painted functional steel or tin. Enamelware was mass produced in the late 1800s. It was produced throughout Europe, in Austria, Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. Made by the fusion of powdered glass to steel using a firing process, it was tolerant to hot and cold. Once fired, the powdered glass melted and hardened to a smooth coating. Several coats of enamel were applied to produce a thick, glossy finish. Skilled metal workers made the wares. The pieces were fired and hand painted decoration was applied before the final firing, where the artwork became baked on. The decoration and graphic designs of many wares were painted by credible artists. This was considered a serious art form at the time. By the late 1930s, all details of the manufacturing process were done by machine. This included the stencilling artwork. Enamelware became highly popular in France. Wares such as pots, pans, sets of canisters, utensil racks, coffee pots, tea pots, kettles, sugar bowls, milk jugs, soap holders, scrubbing dishes, pitchers and bowls and much more were produced as enamelware. Another common enamelware item was the lavabo (a basin with a water tank). This was placed outside the back door. It was used for hand washing before coming inside after working in the garden or fields. Enamelware took pride of place in ordinary homes.
This gorgeous enamelware pitcher has some deterioration due to the wear and tear of age. There are some small holes at the base. It stands 25 cms in height.
This delightful enamelware pitcher, circa 1910, is from Provence. An unusual shade of green, it is handpainted, depicting a winter scene complete with a snow topped roof.
French enamelware was painted functional steel or tin. Enamelware was mass produced in the late 1800s. It was produced throughout Europe, in Austria, Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. Made by the fusion of powdered glass to steel using a firing process, it was tolerant to hot and cold. Once fired, the powdered glass melted and hardened to a smooth coating. Several coats of enamel were applied to produce a thick, glossy finish. Skilled metal workers made the wares. The pieces were fired and hand painted decoration was applied before the final firing, where the artwork became baked on. The decoration and graphic designs of many wares were painted by credible artists. This was considered a serious art form at the time. By the late 1930s, all details of the manufacturing process were done by machine. This included the stencilling artwork. Enamelware became highly popular in France. Wares such as pots, pans, sets of canisters, utensil racks, coffee pots, tea pots, kettles, sugar bowls, milk jugs, soap holders, scrubbing dishes, pitchers and bowls and much more were produced as enamelware. Another common enamelware item was the lavabo (a basin with a water tank). This was placed outside the back door. It was used for hand washing before coming inside after working in the garden or fields. Enamelware took pride of place in ordinary homes.
This gorgeous enamelware pitcher has some deterioration due to the wear and tear of age. There are some small holes at the base. It stands 25 cms in height.
This delightful enamelware pitcher, circa 1910, is from Provence. An unusual shade of green, it is handpainted, depicting a winter scene complete with a snow topped roof.
French enamelware was painted functional steel or tin. Enamelware was mass produced in the late 1800s. It was produced throughout Europe, in Austria, Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. Made by the fusion of powdered glass to steel using a firing process, it was tolerant to hot and cold. Once fired, the powdered glass melted and hardened to a smooth coating. Several coats of enamel were applied to produce a thick, glossy finish. Skilled metal workers made the wares. The pieces were fired and hand painted decoration was applied before the final firing, where the artwork became baked on. The decoration and graphic designs of many wares were painted by credible artists. This was considered a serious art form at the time. By the late 1930s, all details of the manufacturing process were done by machine. This included the stencilling artwork. Enamelware became highly popular in France. Wares such as pots, pans, sets of canisters, utensil racks, coffee pots, tea pots, kettles, sugar bowls, milk jugs, soap holders, scrubbing dishes, pitchers and bowls and much more were produced as enamelware. Another common enamelware item was the lavabo (a basin with a water tank). This was placed outside the back door. It was used for hand washing before coming inside after working in the garden or fields. Enamelware took pride of place in ordinary homes.
This gorgeous enamelware pitcher has some deterioration due to the wear and tear of age. There are some small holes at the base. It stands 25 cms in height.
