Bowls by Societe Ceramique Maestricht, (Maastricht) Holland

Hi, Complete ceramics amateur here,

I was given two bowls when a neighbour was clearing a relative's house, they caught my eye as they're big and bright. I've done a little research but the honest truth is, despite knowing their manufacturer, I don't really know what they are (Stoneware? Delftware? Something else? Serving bowls? Fruit bowls? Soup bowls?)

I'd also really like to know roughly when they were made, so far I can only narrow it down between 1887 and 1955 - which is a big range!

There's a very clear printed mark on one bowl "Societe Ceramique Maestricht Made in Holland", the second has the same mark, but its obscured by a second impressed mark that I can't make out. They're quite heavy, about 800g each, and large, about 28cm (11") across.

I've learned from a bit of internet searching that this version of the mark was used between 1887 and 1955. (I can't post the link as I'm a new member)

Any further information, or clues as to where I could find out more would be much appreciated, Thanks

Here are a few more pictures, including a chipped section that might be useful identifying the material (if that's needed).

stytagm - you just have to look them up and do some reading go yourself

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9_C%C3%A9ramique

check ebay for prices if you are interested

Thanks for the link - I take your point that I need to do my homework :) here's what I've found so far.

I had found that wiki page before (sorry, should have mentioned). It's generally good interesting information about the manufacturer and it's history, but where I'm struggling is learning about the bowls themselves (especially as mentioned, their date, and what general category they are - sorry)

There's a dutch website called "The Memory" a sort of online museum (Sorry, still not allowed to share links) with photos of literally thousands of artefacts from the factory and items of pottery, but after about half an hour of scrolling I couldn't find the same design, or one similar enough to be confident it was the same style and period, hence reaching out to see if someone else would take pity on me.

Interesting that you mentioned ebay, one was sold with the same design in slightly different colours, but smaller (only 8 1/2") a few months ago, but it also didn't include a date, or name what it was made of. A second one from the States described it as both "spatterware" and "Spongewear" [sic] which sounds a bit odd, still no date.

I will keep looking, but if anyone knows, it's fun to share

They are earthenware like most British factory made pottery.

The impressed mark in your second image might be a date code, if the impressed characters are numbers.

Thanks Studio-pots, that's useful. I've taken a couple more photos of the impressions (turns out there's one on each bowl). I've taken them with the light source at an oblique angle which makes them a little bit easier to make out, but I'm not certain what I'm looking at.

The first (that overlays the makers mark) looks like "oOE" while the second is perhaps "NOE" (with a half sized capital N). But I'm far from certain. The crack in the second photo by the way appears to be from manufacture, as the glaze goes down into it. I don't know if that's normal for the period, or if these would have been sold as seconds or equivalent.

Any sponge ware aficionados out there recognise the origin (Welsh, Scottish?) of this lovely piece? Would it be early 19th Century? Approx 8" dia. Thanks

Maastricht, I think.
Janet

strange, just a few weeks ago

https://www.20thcenturyforum.com/t28858-bowls-by-societe-ceramique-maestricht-but-when-and-what-are-they

Nailed it. Thanks guys.