Pottery Willemyns / Maes-Laigneil - Flemish pottery • Potterie Flamande - Vase - Art Nouveau vase with high-gloss glaze - Ceramic - 23 cm

Belgian Art Nouveau Three-Handled Pottery Vase — Willemyns (Later Maes-Laigneil), Hand-Carved Floral Decoration, Flowing Glaze, c. 1915–1930

An exceptional Belgian Art Nouveau ceramic vase produced by the pottery workshop Willemyns, later known as Maes-Laigneil, during the first decades of the twentieth century. Entirely handmade, this beautiful piece combines an unusual sculptural form, elegant floral decoration and the workshop’s characteristic flowing glazes.

The vase features a tall cylindrical body adorned with three gracefully curved handles, creating a striking architectural silhouette. The handles extend from the upper rim and flow elegantly down the sides, emphasizing the organic lines and sculptural character typical of the Art Nouveau movement.

The body is decorated with stylized floral motifs, individually carved by hand and highlighted with warm amber, golden-yellow and delicate green tones. Their symmetrical, almost geometric interpretation of natural forms beautifully reflects the transition between Art Nouveau and the emerging Art Deco aesthetic.

Particularly remarkable is the spectacular flowing glaze, characteristic of the workshop’s distinctive colour palette. Rich cobalt and petrol-blue tones blend into softer turquoise, pale blue and luminous greenish-yellow shades. The colours flow vertically across the surface, creating beautiful variations in depth and intensity. The subtle crackle texture beneath the glossy glaze adds another layer of visual richness, making every detail of the surface fascinating to explore.

The vase is a wonderful example of traditional Belgian art pottery, entirely shaped, decorated and glazed by hand. Its individual character and subtle irregularities reflect the authentic craftsmanship involved in its creation.

Despite its antique origins, the vase has a remarkably contemporary presence. Its elegant proportions and generous opening make it particularly suitable for a fresh spring bouquet of tulips, while its vibrant colours and distinctive three-handled silhouette allow it to stand beautifully on its own as a decorative work of art.

A striking and highly decorative example of early twentieth-century Belgian ceramics, combining exceptional craftsmanship, expressive glazes and the timeless elegance of Art Nouveau.


Historical context:

The Willemyns pottery, later known as Maes-Laigneil, was among the leading Flemish art potteries of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Rooted in the Belle Époque spirit, their work was influenced by the international Art Nouveau movement and the English Arts and Crafts ideals, which emphasized craftsmanship and artistic integrity. Around the 1910s–1920s, under the collaboration of Maes in Torhout and the engineer Laigneil from Kortrijk, the workshop produced distinctive ceramics that combined dynamic relief decoration, bold forms, and rich polychrome glazes. Their pieces often bridged artistic styles, embodying the fluid lines of Art Nouveau while anticipating the geometric clarity of Art Deco.

This vase is a fine and rare example of their production – a decorative object that not only showcases exceptional craftsmanship but also encapsulates the artistic transition of its era.

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