This striking grey sandstone pottery with cobalt decorative designs comes from the village of Betschdorf in Alsace, France.
When the clay is being fire salt is thrown on to the pieces and it reacts at high temperature to glaze the pieces.
Betschdorf pottery has been made in Alsace since the 18th century. Once there were many pottery ateliers creating beautiful unique designs. Now there are just a few left but luckily I regularly find beautiful pieces like these.
The thickness of the clay, the intricacy of the designs are a good way of telling the age of each piece.
These pieces are great as plant pots or for decor on open shelving. They make lovely collection pieces.
1. Large salting or preserving urn. With a beautiful floral design. This would make a gorgeous plant pot or decor on open shelving.
2. A large jug with a very round middle section. The design is a little rougher on this. Beginning of 20th century. 32cm tall x 20cm wide at the widest
3. A lovely lighter grey lower pot. lovely for bulbs or a plant. 12cm tall x 16.5cm wide without the handles
4. Small salting jar with uneven handles. It’s darker clay and a more primitive finish. Likely an order piece.15cm tall x 12cm wide without the handles
5. A medium size salting urn with a glossier glaze finish. Mid century. 19cm tall x 17.5cm wide