Located in London, England
This is a ring-shaped bottle (sometimes called a crown bottle, pilgrim's ring flask, or crown jug).
Contrary to what one might think, the "donut" or ring shape is not modern. It is a very old historical form (dating back to ancient Greece, Rome, and even feudal Asian ceramics). This shape originally allowed a cord to be passed through the inside to carry the flask over the shoulder or to hang it to keep the liquid cool.
It is made of glazed stoneware (ceramic fired at high temperatures). The glaze has a superb speckled and textured effect, typical of handcrafted pieces from the second half of the 20th century. The underside of the piece (the flat base so it stands upright) shows the raw, unglazed clay, which confirms careful craftsmanship.
Although inspired by classical ("Greek") forms, this piece is a handcrafted example of vintage folk art (1960s or 1970s). The revival of stoneware in France during this period (in regions such as Puisaye, Ratilly, La Borne, and Vallauris for certain shapes) brought these highly graphic and utilitarian pieces back into fashion. The absence of a signature is common for pieces from independent workshops or regional potters of this era.
This piece is currently highly sought after for its ultra-modern, sculptural, and minimalist design. It integrates perfectly into interiors in the Japandi, Wabi-Sabi, or Modernist styles.
Stunning and rare vintage ring-shaped ceramic bottle (or donut pitcher...
Category
1970s French Brutalist Vintage Enameled Decorative Objects