French écume de mer glazed lidded casserole / soup tureen
A striking vintage French lidded tureen, likely from Vallauris and dating to around the 1960s–70s. The low, broad form is finished in a wonderfully wild reactive glaze, with mustard, olive green and deep brown breaking into a mass of bubbled, cratered textures across the surface. The almost black interior gives the whole thing a particularly dramatic contrast.
The glaze is reminiscent of the French écume de mer, or “sea foam”, finishes associated with Vallauris pottery of the period, where the firing process created these wonderfully irregular cellular patterns. Twin loop handles sit either side of the bowl, while a small shaped recess in the rim appears to have been made for a serving ladle.
Complete with its original domed lid and dark glazed knop, it is a great example of the more experimental side of mid-century French ceramics and makes a particularly good decorative piece in its own right.
Piece details
Available- Brand / maker
- Unknown
- Origin
- France (Likely)
- Era
- 1960s-70s
- Materials
- Ceramic
- Dimensions
- Coming Soon
- Condition
- Vintage condition with age-related wear. A number of the raised glaze blisters have cracked or lost small sections of glaze, most noticeably across the textured exterior and lid. Please see photographs for full condition. Given the glaze loss, we would recommend this piece for decorative rather than food use.
- Work carried out
- Cleaned.
How to buy this piece
All items are available in the showroom. You can either visit on Saturday during public opening hours, or book a private appointment here.