1930s French Faience Vase by Orchies

This French faience vase was made in the 1930's by Orchies, a historic ceramics factory in the town of Orchies in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in northern France. Established in 1886, they merged in 1923 and adopted an impressed mark with a windmill, a symbol of the region, and the words ORCHIES MADE IN FRANCE. This mark is on the bottom of this beautiful vase, along with the printed PV mark in a circle, which refers to 'Peasant Village,' pieces chosen for import by Mittledorfer Strauss of New York. Their logo began to be used in 1928 and continued into the 1960's. Orchies was out of business in the 1980's.

This slightly off-white vase was made in a sheaf-of-wheat design with raised flowers and wheat stalks that start at the bottom and end at the undulating top rim. The piece is very glossy, with pale blue undertones
not easily photographed. The vase stands 9 1/4 inches tall, measures 6 inches across the top and 5 1/4 inches across the base. It weighs 2 1/2 pounds and can hold lot of fresh flowers (without leaking) as well as drieds and silks.

The vase has definitely seen use during the last 90 years or so since it was made. There is crazing, discoloration in two areas on the upper portion and heavier stains on the inside. (All of this is shown in our photos.) There is a tiny rough area on one of the tips on the upper rim, which we felt but did not see.

Orchies ceramics are known for their high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and glossy finishes. This vase, a bit shabby but definitely chic, displays wonderfully.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the photos show the vase as very white due to lighting. The photos of the vase without flowers and not under the painting are most true to life.

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