Charles Greber (1853-1935), 1 Pitcher And A Covered Pot In Stoneware, Signed, 20th

a pitcher and a covered pot in enamelled stoneware decorated with drippings, signed below C. GREBER. 20th century period around 1900. Renowned ceramist, Charles Gréber (Beauvais 1853 -1935) left his lasting mark on Beauvais ceramics and developed the family business, created by his father in 1870, while making it famous. When Johann Peter Gréber left the management of the Beauvais stoneware factory to his two sons (1880 – 1899), they continued the production of utilitarian salted stoneware, in the regional tradition. However, the geometric decor evolves towards more naturalism in accordance with the popular fashion of the time. Vines, acorns, oak leaves and realistic scenes cover the sandstone. Listening to developments in Paris, they also embarked on the manufacture of enameled architectural ceramics, and in the mass production of glazed ceramic, sea green color. The pieces from these periods of collaboration are signed – in the proportion of one piece in two – with a hollow stamp with the letters GB (Greber Beauvais) contained in an oval. After the death of their father in 1898, the two brothers separated and Charles took over the family pottery factory from 1899 to 1933. He then developed architectural covering ceramics and flamed sandstone which became the specialties of the Gréber house. He quickly acquired a reputation and won several medals at national and international exhibitions, which earned him a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1926. On this occasion, he donated a collection of his works to the Museum departmental of Oise. This practice of donation will subsequently be ratified by the other members of the Gréber family. Charles Gréber's work is divided into four main themes: the ceramic decoration of the building, interior and exterior architectural ceramics, and finally pottery. Its architectural ceramics are found on buildings in both Beauvais and Paris and fit perfectly into the Art Nouveau architectural aesthetic of the 1900s, where color plays an important role. In its semi-industrial production of ceramic coverings, it excels in the creation of apartment fireplaces in very colorful flamed stoneware. In this area, he applies the principles of Art Nouveau in a more exuberant way while offering models with more geometric shapes where the originality relates to the variation of plant species (roses, ivy, pine). Finally, he continues to produce more artisanal pottery, the raison d'être of the Manufacture, while following Parisian fashion. Thus, he carried out a large production of flamed stoneware with enamel drips superimposed in reliefs of animals or plants. Charles Gréber is therefore an accomplished artist who knew how to adapt to the tastes of his time and offer high quality production.