Stoneware coffee and teapot, Black Valley Pottery

Very beautiful coffee pot with rounded lines and a magnificent speckled enamel in milky gray, brown, beige tones with a touch of green on the lid, a very beautiful artisanal work of turning, modeling and enameling. The spout has an original, charming shape, we see the work of the craftsman's hand on the curvature and the gluing of one part on the other. When I found it, I did not yet know "the potteries of the Vallée Noire", but now there is no doubt for me, it is indeed a ceramic that comes from this workshop, closed for years, with its enamel called "Gris de Verneuil" so particular! Enameling which is one of my favorites since I discovered it! This workshop, which apparently existed since 1832 (previously Mijoin workshop) was the last in Verneuil-sur-Igneraie, while there were 19 in the 19th century. I cannot see the workshop stamp, so this ceramic was not one of the last from the workshop. On the other hand, now that I know its origin, I can see, albeit with great difficulty and depending on the angle of light, the N of the VN monogram incised by hand, which was found on pieces from the first period, but this is not surprising, it is often not very visible in this slightly chamotte stoneware and it may have faded over time. This coffee pot is in good general condition, very clean interior, no cracks, but two small losses on the enamel, one on the edge of the lid, one on the edge of the opening of the jug, not excessively visible because they blend into the colors of the enamel. It measures 16 cm in height including the lid, for a maximum diameter of 15 cm, and a width from the spout to the handle of approximately 20 cm.