Longwy: French Art Deco Enameled Earthenware with Cloisonne-Style Decoration
Longwy is a French faience (tin-glazed earthenware) factory established in 1798 in Longwy, Lorraine, near the Belgian and Luxembourg borders. While the factory produced various ceramics throughout the 19th century, it became internationally celebrated in the 1920s and 1930s for its Art Deco enameled wares featuring bold, colorful designs created by a cloisonne-like technique in which raised ridges of clay separate pools of brightly colored glazes. These Art Deco pieces, with their vibrant turquoise grounds, geometric patterns, and exotic motifs, are the most collected and valuable Longwy products.
Identification and Marks
Longwy pottery is consistently marked and well-documented:
- "Longwy" mark: Impressed or printed factory mark, usually accompanied by "France"
- "EMAUX DE LONGWY": Mark indicating the enameled ware line
- Pattern numbers: Impressed or painted numbers identifying specific designs
- "D'apres" marks: Indicating designs "after" specific artists, such as Primavera designs for Au Printemps department store
- Primavera mark: Pieces designed for the Primavera atelier of Au Printemps bear both Longwy and Primavera marks
Styles and Decorative Themes
- Art Deco floral: Stylized flowers, particularly peonies and chrysanthemums, in vivid enamels on crackled turquoise grounds
- Exotic/colonial themes: African, Asian, and Orientalist-inspired designs popular in the 1920s-1930s
- Geometric patterns: Bold Art Deco geometric designs in contrasting colors
- Animal subjects: Stylized birds, deer, and other fauna
- Primavera designs: Often the most artistically ambitious pieces, designed by artists associated with Au Printemps
- Mosaic patterns: Intricate multi-colored patterns resembling Byzantine mosaics
Auction Price Ranges
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Large Art Deco vases (14"+ tall) | $1,000 - $8,000 |
| Primavera-designed pieces | $800 - $5,000 |
| Art Deco chargers and plates | $300 - $2,000 |
| Standard Art Deco vases (8-12") | $300 - $1,500 |
| Trivet tiles and small items | $50 - $300 |
| Jardinieres and planters | $200 - $1,200 |
| Post-WWII production | $50 - $300 |
| 19th-century non-Art Deco pieces | $50 - $200 |
Condition Factors
Longwy's enameled technique creates a thick, glassy surface that is generally durable, but chips to the raised ridges and to the rim or base are common and reduce value. The characteristic crackled turquoise ground is intentional and not a defect. Check for chips in the enamel pools between the raised ridges, as these are readily visible against the bright colors. The base should be clean and marked. Hairlines in the earthenware body are serious and reduce value substantially. Fading of the enamel colors is uncommon but can occur on pieces exposed to extended direct sunlight.
Collecting Tips
Longwy Art Deco pieces offer exceptional decorative impact with their vivid colors and bold designs. Pieces with the Primavera mark tend to represent the most ambitious artistic designs and bring the highest prices. The characteristic crackled turquoise ground is the most recognizable Longwy feature and the most collected, though pieces with other ground colors (black, white, cream) also exist. Longwy production continues today, with the factory still making enameled ware in traditional and contemporary designs; collectors should learn to distinguish the Art Deco period production from later work through marks and style. Large-scale pieces (vases over 14 inches, large chargers) have the most visual impact and bring the strongest prices. The French auction market, particularly in Paris and the regions near the factory, is the primary source for fine examples. Longwy pairs well with other French Art Deco ceramics (Boch Freres, Catteau, Primavera) for display purposes.