Antique Saint-Uze Tea Infuser, Early 20th Century

Period
Early 20th century, French, Saint-Uze

Size
4¼ inches across, 3¼ inches tall

A French stoneware tea infuser from Saint-Uze, the pottery town in the Drôme valley that has produced utilitarian and table ceramics since the eighteenth century. The piece is glazed in a soft cream and finished at the rim with a hand-painted blue garland, a looping swag of leaves and berries carried freehand around the top. The base is densely pierced with small holes through which the brewed tea passes while the leaves stay contained inside.

Historical Context
Saint-Uze stoneware is among the most recognized French ceramic traditions, produced in the Drôme in southeastern France where the local clay and long kiln tradition gave the ware its characteristic dense cream body. Even utilitarian pieces received hand-painted decoration, as with the blue garland on this infuser. It reflects a tradition where everyday ceramics were made to be both useful and beautiful.

Styling Ideas
Display it with a teapot or among other cream and blue ceramics. Use it to hold small silverware at the table, or as a small pot for herbs or flowers on a shelf.