Vase - Porcelain - Boch Frères Keramis

MONUMENTAL COBALT VASE "BLEU DE ROI" – BELGIUM – OK. 1930–1950

⸻

BASIC DATA (AUCTION FOOTER)
Origin country Belgium
Manufacturer Boch Frères Keramis La Louvière
Dating approximately 1930–1950
Type monumental floor vase
Material glazed ceramic
Technique hand enamel gilding
Color scheme cobalt white gold
Condition very good showroom condition

⸻

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Height 50 cm
Upper diameter 17 cm
Body diameter 20 cm
Base diameter 13 cm
Weight 2444 g

An object of clearly monumental scale, intended as a dominant interior feature.

⸻

CONDITION REPORT
Very good condition for collectors
No cracks
No chips
No repairs or restorations
Original glaze and gilding preserved
The piece presents itself in showroom condition, ready for museum or private collection display.

⸻

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION AND EXPERTISE
Here is a complete, extended and professional description of the vase, prepared for a demanding buyer and in a visually descriptive form for a blind professor. The text combines hard technical data with historical context and the artistic vision of the object.
EXPERTISE AND CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION: MONUMENTAL COBALT VASE “BLEU DE ROI”
1. Introduction and Historical Context
The object on display is a unique, large-scale floor vase, from one of Belgium’s reputable ceramic manufactories (most likely Boch Frères Keramis in La Louvière). Dating is determined by stylistic cues, firing technology, and family provenance to the 1930s–1950s. It is a classic example of European interwar and early postwar design, when Belgian ceramics in deep cobalt blue symbolized luxury and refined taste.
The vase is characterized by a monumental scale, unprecedented in mass-produced contemporary items, giving it the status of a collector’s and representative piece.
2. Technical Specifications (Sale Data)

• Country of origin: Belgium.
• Height: 50 cm (half a metre – floor/office vase).
• Upper diameter (lip): 17 cm.
• Belly diameter (widest point): 20 cm.
• Base diameter: 13 cm.
• Weight: 2444 g (nearly 2.5 kg of substantial, noble ceramic).
• Color: Deep cobalt blue (Bleu de Roi), snow-white enamel, noble gold.
• Condition: Very good, showroom condition. No cracks, chips or restorations.
3. Form and Detail Description (For the Professor)
The vase features classic baluster anatomy with smooth, harmonious lines.

• Base and Foot: The construction rests on a stable foot. The bottom bears a convex firing residue, an authentic testament to old manufacturing technology. This is a remnant of a spacing element in the ceramic kiln, confirming the artisanal nature of firing at high temperatures.
• Body (Belly): Bulky and heavy at the lower portion, tapering gradually toward the top, transitioning into a slender, elongated neck. This proportion play makes the vase, despite its weight, appear light and lofty.
• Spout: The upper part of the vase flares like a flower’s chalice. The edge is finished with a wide band of noble gold applied by hand, underscoring the prestigious character of the piece.
4. Analysis of Decorative Motifs
The decoration was applied with white enamel on a dark, mirror-like cobalt ground, creating depth and strong contrast.

• Floricultural Motif: The central axis of decoration features lush chrysanthemum and dahlia blooms. The flowers are depicted in full bloom with precisely outlined petals. Chrysanthemums in this style symbolize the sun, joy, and longevity.
• Accompanying Foliage: Dynamic, feathery fern leaves and stylized, slender branches with small buds complete the composition. The leaves have a sharp line reminiscent of late Art Deco aesthetics. These motifs spiral around the vase, giving a different yet equally striking appearance from every side.
• Gilding: A handmade gold band along the rim of the lip forms a luminous crown that, in contact with light, animates the dark cobalt texture.
5. Summary and Exhibited Value
The vase is in very good preserved condition, with a bright, glossy glaze. Its monumental size (50 cm) and weight of nearly 2.5 kg make it a dominant feature in any interior—from classical salons to modern eclectic spaces.
For the collector, this is a rare example of Belgian utilitarian ceramic art that combines robust craftsmanship with the delicacy of white decoration. This piece is not merely a vessel but a sculptural interior element that gains historical and market value with time. It represents an excellent investment and a valuable component of an artisan legacy from a bygone era.

⸻

HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC CONTEXT
Belgian ceramics from the interwar and postwar periods were among the most important hubs of European design
Factories such as Boch Frères Keramis produced luxury pieces for discerning buyers
Bleu de Roi was reserved for higher-class wares and frequently used in representative objects

⸻

COLLECTORIAL POTENTIAL
Premium-class object
Large format rarely seen on the market
Excellent condition
Strong Art Deco and classical decoration
Ideal for a collection of European ceramics or as a dominant interior feature