This is a hand-made traditional folk art pottery pitcher from Gruyeres, Switzerland.It is a vintage piece brought back by my aunt.
It features a hand-painted white flower on deep cobalt blue base. The interior is a red-brown.
The bottom is signed "Baumann Gruyeres" (last picture).
It is in excellent condition- no chips, cracks, mends or scratches.
Measurements -
Height - 3 1/4"
Length - 4"
Width - 3"
Capacity- fluid ounces
Gruyere Pottery was created in the 1930's by Pierre Messerli. He worked until his retirement in 1971.
In 1977, Antoinette Dubuis-Bosshard (1951-2003) settled in the Messerli workshop and revived the manufacture of the Gruyere pottery. It greatly diversified the range of forms. The Poterie de Gruyere workshop moved to its current premises in rue du Moleson in 1996. The production is carried out by a faithful team of Gruerien craftsmen led by Pierre Dubuis.
Each piece of Gruyere pottery is handcrafted with clay from central Switzerland. Decorated by hand once dry, the piece is cooked a first time (cooking called biscuit), then enamelled and cooked a second time. Each pottery is of unique invoice, the decor evolving according to the talent of the decorator who signs it.
Fruit of teamwork, the Gruyere Pottery requires a thorough know-how at every stage of its production. The Poterie de Gruyere is the product of the experience and the skill of all who participate with all the care and love of the work well done.