Willy Biron Châtelet 'Grès Salé Grand Feu' Studio Pottery Vase, 1950s

Willy Biron Châtelet 'Grès Salé Grand Feu' Studio Pottery Vase. Belgium, mid 20th century. Wonderful 'Grès Salé Grand Feu' studio pottery vase by Willy Biron from Châtelet near Charleroi in Belgium. Around that area there were several high quality studio pottery workshops. The works, often referred to as 'Grès de Bouffioulx', are made by a very old technique. The stoneware pieces are baked at a very high temperature and during the process salt is being thrown in the oven. The salt glaze is the result of a chemical reaction. The sodium from the salt combines with silica in the clay to form a glassy coating of sodium silicate. This vase has a very elegant and interesting natural shape, but the colorful salt glaze transforms it to a very distinct piece of pottery. The colors are shifting from yellow to brown and from green to purple. The glaze looks almost like a vibrant landscape. A wonderful piece of Belgian salt glazed stoneware. Great vintage condition. Signed at the base and with an old sticker on the outside. Â