About the artist
Based in Wallonia, Royal Boch is perhaps the most celebrated pottery manufacturer on Belgian soil. The history of this company goes back to 1841, when it was founded and in 1844 the name Boch Frères S.N.C. got. The company is also known for its ceramic products under the brand name Boch Keramis.
Royal Boch was founded by the Boch family, descendants of the Boch family from Audun-le-Tiche, France, who founded a ceramics company in 1748 that would later evolve into Villeroy & Boch. For decades, the Boch family placed great value on the quality of their designs. Artists such as Charles van der Stappen and Théo Van Rysselberghe were involved in the production, largely thanks to the efforts of Anna Boch. The family maintained close ties with various artists, with Eugène Boch even being friends with Vincent van Gogh.
In addition to their artistic involvement, the family was also committed to the well-being of their employees. They built houses for workers behind the factory and founded the brotherhood of Saint Anthony of Padua, named after the patron saint of faience workers. In addition, they facilitated education by establishing their own vocational school and home economics school. Relaxation and free time were provided by the creation of a choir and its own brass band. Thanks to these expansions, a new town was created around the factory, called La Louvière. The town's name refers to "Louve," the French word for she-wolf, which is also the official symbol of the Boch Keramis factory.
In 2009, reports circulated in the press about the possible closure of this renowned supplier. A buyer was eventually found, but at the end of 2010 he had to appear before the Bergen commercial court. He was accused of irregularities and failure to fulfill commitments to the Walloon Region.
Old pieces in the Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Jugendstil styles are highly sought after by collectors because of their refined quality and craftsmanship.
In 1999, the Catteau Collection, consisting of eight hundred vases and largely consisting of vases from the Boch Manufacture, was donated to the King Baudouin Foundation. This demonstrates the enduring artistic value and legacy of Royal Boch in the world of ceramics and design.
