Ceramique

1920 · 12116 — Wasserbillig Luxembourg: CGCB CERABATI Compagnie Generale de la Ceramique du Batiment 1920. Softcover. Near fine. Octavo 92pp. plus ten leaves of brown-toned photogravure-like prints depicting various tile patterns in situ in variuos buildings and facades. Near fine in the publisher's grey wraps with embossed dark green title. Trivial wear to edges and a small stain to the top edge. A vibrant catalogue of tilework by this stylish Luxembourgish firm. The limited narrative text and all physical descriptions are presented helpfully in four languages: English French German and Dutch. Though undated the style is very much in the Weimar era Streamline Moderne aesthetic. Colors and patterns pop and repeat with frequent use of white tiles to accentuate the details. At least as powerful as the tile patterns are the illustrations at rear in a section called "Applications" in which some of the patterns are shown as installed in hospitals banks restaurnts kitchens etc. The photography is artistic and often set at a slightly canted "Dutch" angle evocative of German Expressionist filmmaking of the period. OCLC locates a single holding of this catalogue at the Canadian Centre for Architecture though that holding is classifeid as an "internet resource." An excellent example of decorative arts manufacturing and salesmanship during this brief but highly influential design period between the wars. CGCB CERABATI (Compagnie Generale de la Ceramique du Batiment) unknown