Antique Belgian Stoneware Crock, Brussels Stencil

Period: Early 20th century

Size: 4¼ inches tall, 4½ inch base, 4 inch opening, 6½ inches across the handles

A Belgian grey stoneware crock stenciled in cobalt blue for H. Declercq-Vandevel of Brussels, whose Chef-d'Oeuvre trademark sits in a lozenge above the shop address at 63 Rue Heyvaert. The pot is salt-glazed grès in the pale grey of the Rhenish and Belgian tradition, thrown with a full belly, two applied ear handles, and a flat rolled rim. The interior is glazed the same grey with some rust spotting at the bottom. A crack runs from the rim down through one handle, and the rim edge has several chips. Wear consistent with age and use, sold as found.

Historical Context

Rue Heyvaert runs through Anderlecht beside the old Brussels abattoirs, and the merchants along it sold butter, lard, and prepared meats to the whole city. Pots like this one went out full of product and were meant to be returned, which is why the shop stenciled its name and registered trademark on the side. The grey stoneware with blue lettering came from the same kilns that supplied the Rhineland and the Low Countries for centuries.

Styling Ideas

The lettering does the work here, so let it face out. Keep it on open shelving or a windowsill holding a small plant, or use it on the counter for salt, garlic, or a bunch of herbs. The grey and cobalt sits well next to French white and brown stoneware without matching anything too neatly.