A BFK IZNIK-STYLE THREE-PIECE PORCELAIN MANTEL GARNITURE SET
Attributable to Charles Catteau, Boch Freres Keramics (BFK), La Louviere, Belgium, early 20th century

Comprising two rouleau vases, each of faceted cylindrical shape, resting on a slightly recessed base, rising to a tall and everted rim, decorated in the typical Iznik palette of cobalt blue, bole red, green, highlighted with black outlines against a cream white ground, decorated with a large hatayi flower, saz leaf, and palmette design, one base incised with 'K 101', the other 'K 101 E', both marked 'BFK / 69', 41cm high, the rim 21.5cm diam.; the third vase of baluster shape, resting on a circular base, rising to a short cylindrical neck, with a domed lid surmounted by a finial shaped like a Chinese fu dog (or foo dog), repeating the same large hatayi flower, saz leaf, and palmette motif as the rouleau vases, the base incised 'K 113' and '2' and also marked 'BFK / 69', 58.5cm total height.

Chinese fu dogs, also known as guardian lions, are mythical half-lion, half-dog creatures omnipresent within Chinese art. As guardians, they are entrusted with the guardianship of Buddhist temples and thus, are seen all over Asia. During the 17th and 18th centuries, fu dogs were introduced into European design as part of the Chinoiserie genre. This three-piece garniture set by Boch Freres Keramics exemplifies the hybrid intersection of three different cultures, as we can see a Turkish pattern implemented on a Chinese porcelain body, made and painted by a Belgian hand.

Boch Freres Keramis was established in 1841 by brothers Eugène and Victor Boch and their brother-in-law, Jean-Baptiste Nothomb. They dominated the Belgian market during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, more notably after the joining of designer Charles Catteau in 1906. A baluster vase featuring the same motifs was attributed to Charles Catteau and sold at Sotheby's London, 27 October 2020, lot 511. Catteau's specialty was art deco ceramics, but his incorporation of Iznik-style designs into the BFK production stands as a testament to the strong and widespread demand for art from the Islamic world within the European market.