Ciboure Vase “sang De Boeuf” étienne Vilotte

Rare Ciboure sang de sang olive vase, signed E Vilotte. In perfect condition, circa 1930. Height: 24 cm Diameter: 20 cm "Vilotte, passionate about experiments, made his own enamels and glazes by modifying the chemical composition of his mixtures, sometimes superimposing the layers of enamels to obtain dripping effects because certain enamels are more meltable than others during firing. He sought to obtain the famous "ox blood red" from copper oxide, a well-kept Chinese secret. Without training as a chemist, it took him quite a few attempts to control the cooking. It takes place in a reducing atmosphere, little oxygen, a lot of carbon but if it lasts too long or is too high in carbon, the vases are of a dirty red while they turn green if there is too much oxygen. This reductive firing requires extreme control and Vilotte must have been quite proud of his successes. However, these flamed stoneware remain exceptions in Ciboure pottery from the years 30." Excerpt from the book La poterie de Ciboure 1919-1945 by Séverine Berger P 20/21