Service signed Charles Voltz Vallauris

For once, it's not the aesthetics of this service that caught my attention, but the signature under the pieces. If the shape is quite original, the decor with this very matte midnight blue enameling is quite simplistic. But the signature vaguely reminded me of something, it is written underneath, by hand, “c. Voltz vallauris france”, so I found it to investigate. And I was not disappointed, it was that of charles voltz, a ceramist who started in robert picault's workshop in 1950 before opening his own workshop where he notably trained albert thiry who became a figure from vallauris and who exhibited all over the world until the 90s. Voltz was very involved in local life in vallauris and in the promotion of ceramics from this village, which allowed him to be in regular contact with picasso who had been installed there since 1948. These pieces, without any embellishments or decoration, contrast with the “usual” production of voltz which is often decorated with geometric patterns or with engraved decorations. Perhaps these are pieces dating from his beginnings. This would merit a more in-depth investigation with specialists from vallauris, an investigation that I will perhaps begin and of which I will keep you informed here; ) this service is not complete, it consists of a milk pitcher, a sugar bowl with lid and three cups or bowls as well as two lids which are not quite the same size but which fit on the cups. These pieces are in good general condition, no cracks, but have small traces of their age: two or three tiny chips including one on the spout of the pitcher, a small chip under the base of the pitcher and some traces of use or damage. Origin (notably on the enamelling of one of the small lids). The pitcher measures 12 cm in height, the bowls measure 6 cm in height with a diameter of approximately 8 cm, the sugar bowl measures 11 cm in diameter with a height of 8 cm (with the lid).

Ref. : 9E5F1AC4