Circa 1960s
The Vase of Saissons was a sacred artefact, which was kept in a cathedral in the Kingdom of Soissons in antiquity. The existence and fate of the vase are known from the writings of Gregory de Tours (ca. 538–594). Because Gregory wrote his account more than a century after the vase was said to have been destroyed, it is difficult if not impossible to distinguish myth from history.
The plate is decorated in the Longwy signature style enamel with raised enamel and in high contrast.
The Longwy pottery was established towards the end of the 17th century in a Carmelite convent in the Meurthe et Moselle region of France near the point where France, Luxembourg and Belgium meet. The owners of the convent and pottery were the Huart family, and by 1865 had passed into the hands of Fernand and Hyppolyte d'Huart. They built new workshops and forsook the models, figures and reliefs that had previously been made in favour of earthenware decorated with enamel in the style of cloisonné.
This style, which they called Emaux de Longwy, continued as their main output and the style by which Longwy wares are recognized. Production has continued since, interrupted only by the two World Wars, and while the styles have changed with the times the general appearance of the pieces has remained unmistakable.
