Antique 1910s Eduard Antheunis Gouda Holland Ceramic Console Bowl Handles Regis 102

Description

A little history lesson first ...

Cornelis Eduard Antheunis (1876-1943) was born in Bergen op Zoom on March 30, 1876. … more A little history lesson first ...

Cornelis Eduard Antheunis (1876-1943) was born in Bergen op Zoom on March 30, 1876. In 1910, he founded Kunstaardewerkfabriek Fa. Ed. Antheunis for the manufacture of pottery. It was only the second company in Gouda to make decorative pottery. Unfortunately it always remained entirely overshadowed by the large PZH factory, even though the quality of the Antheunis products was second to none.

Initially, the warm red background was characteristic of Antheunis pottery, due to the use of red-firing clay. The decorations were mostly abstract and were provided with a beautiful, glossy glaze.

After the First World War, Antheunis started using white clay, and it lost its distinctive character. At the time of the economic crisis around 1929, Antheunis began applying spray glaze and began producing cold lacquer pottery. The company's decline was unmistakable and unstoppable. Antheunis had to close its doors in 1933.

After the closure, Antheunis entered the service of Plateelbakkerij Zuid-Holland, but not as a designer or painter. He died in Gouda on February 3, 1943.

Collector and researcher Peter Bierens has charted the rise and fall of Antheunis and has written extensively on this small but significant potter. In 2016, he donated a large part of his collection to the Gouda Museum.

And now on to this piece ...

A large two-handled console bowl manufactured by Eduard Antheunis circa 1910-1914. It's an early piece, done in his signature warm red clay, abstract design, and glossy finish. The hand painted information on the bottom reads:

176.
E.A.
Gouda.
Holland.
Regis. 102.
Unk.

Based on my research, 176 is the model number. E.A. are the initials for Eduard Antheunis. "Gouda" is self-explanatory. The notation "Holland" (instead of Zuid-Holland) means this is a pre-1933 piece - (the year Antheunis closed the doors of his own facility and began working for Zuid-Holland). Regis. 102 is the Decor name.

The notation "Unk." is curious. This is where the decorator's initials usually go. It's hard to imagine the name of the factory decorator who painted this piece would not be known, but that is what seems to be indicated here.

Measures about 15" long X 7" wide X 5 3/4" tall.

This is a museum quality piece. No chips, cracks, or unusual wear. Crazing consistent with age. Some glaze skips on both handles. less