Unique Science Colbert Vase

Editor’s Notes

This vase from Astier de Villatte is a testament to the Parisian brand’s spiritual ethos and fascination with folk art and abandoned objects.Votary of pre-industrial fabrication, Astier de Villatte is celebrated for being the one and only studio in Paris to hold and harbour the traditions of artisanal ceramic production. Restoring the ancestral systems of moulding and stamping, the Colbert vase is made using handcrafting techniques from the Middle Ages which involve moulding a handmade sheet of clay, double firing the ‘biscuit’ piece and glazing the product in white enamel – a lengthy process that involves a drying time of up to one month. Characterised by a chunky, cylindrical form which descends into a bulbous base, the vase is engraved with the brand’s signature crest – depicting an interlacing A & V – alongside the initials of one of the 40 master artisans who created it. Each handmade piece tells a beautiful story, it romances and imparts a sense of nostalgia into its owner. Pair with other ornate vases from the collection for a coordinated decorative approach. Artisanal production gives each ceramic object a unique aspect, meaning products may slightly vary.