The Bison and Geometry
The contrast between the mass of the animals and the repetition of geometric shapes gives structure to the composition of this large stoneware vase, which stands 41cmtall. The silhouettes, reduced to their essential lines, alternate between movement and stillness. The surface follows a rigorous organization based on rhythm, proportion, and the distribution of motifs. After joining Boch Frères in 1907, Charles Catteau developed a decorative vocabulary that combined stylized animal forms, geometric construction, and a mastery of color. The vase’s shape, the volume of the animal forms, and the cadence of the discs all contribute to a unified architectural conception of the design. The animal motif aligns with the Art Deco taste of the1920s and 1930s for distant faunas and exotic motifs, within a context marked by Orientalism and Africanism. Our piece bears the number D.1401, but the arrangement of the two friezes of discs does not appear to correspond to any known reference model. This distinctive feature suggests that it is an exceptional variant, or even a one-of-a-kind piece. The shape of the vase is known, but with a different decoration, this time featuring elephants. From the personal collection of Marc Pairon, a specialist in Belgian Art Deco ceramics and author of the catalog raisonné of Charles Catteau, this piece is being offered as part of the dispersal of a Belgian private collection dedicated to the ceramicist. The collection comprises 109pieces, estimated between €50 and €15,000.
