Preliminary identification

French Art Deco Craquelé Ceramic Vessel, c. 1930s

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a quintessential example of French 'Craquelé' (crackle-glaze) pottery, a style that defined the sophisticated 'Moderne' aesthetic of the interwar period.

Story

Paris in the 1920s and 30s was the epicenter of a design revolution that traded the flowing vines of the past for the sharp, rhythmic energy of the machine age.

Maker / Origin

The 'M.P.C.' mark is traditionally associated with the Manufacture de Porcelaine de Clignancourt, a historic name that saw various revivals and studio iterations throughout the 20th century.

Condition & Value

The intentional crazing is well-distributed and stable, which is the desired look for this style. There is visible wear and minor chipping around the unglazed foot rim (the 'biscuit'), which is typical for a piece of this age and does not significantly detract from its display value.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps

Regional auction

· Jun 2024

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

$1,280

SOLD

Dealer archive

· Mar 2024

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

$1,450

SOLD

Marketplace sale

· Jan 2024

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

$980

SOLD

Estate platform

· Oct 2023

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

$1,150

SOLD

Auction result

· Aug 2023

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.

$1,375

SOLD