Three household earthenware jars from Wasmuel, Hainaut, Belgium, signed M. W. on the bottom, one for vermicelli, one for rice, and the last for chicory. The model number 275 is inscribed on the bottom of all 3 jars.
The Wasmuël earthenware factory was founded in 1834 under the direction of Isidore Paulus, former director of the Onnaing factory. In 1901, three new kilns, two of which were beehive-shaped, were built. In 1902, the company's statutes were amended, and the earthenware factory was incorporated as a Société Anonyme (Public Limited Company), taking the name Société Anonyme de Wasmuël. In 1907, Eugène Meyer died, and his son Henry took over the management of the factory at the age of 22. As director of the earthenware factory for over forty years, Henry Meyer saw the end of Art Nouveau and majolica, the Art Deco period, and the style of the thirties. The era of monumental ceramics and large decorative pieces ended with the 1914-1918 war. Hand-painted decoration, which coexisted with printing, was gradually challenged by "vapo" and decals. After the war, fashion changed, production became much more commonplace and focused on everyday items. The most original or successful pieces from this period were the Art Deco vase sets and the crazed animal figures popular in the thirties. The earthenware factory was then liquidated, and by 1952, demolition began (source: https://www.barbotine-belge.com/site/fr/histoire.php).
These lovely decorative and/or useful jars are in good overall condition, but their lids are missing (note: 1 small enamel chip on the inside of the top rim of the vermicelli jar, 1 light star hairline crack on the bottom and some micro-chips under one foot of the rice jar, 1 star hairline crack on the bottom of the chicory jar).
Dimensions: height without lid 15.5 cm, width 11 cm, depth 9 cm, weight 687 g + 564 g + 564 g.
Free delivery in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Carefully packaged shipment.