Set of Four Renault Berry French Cider Cups
Warm caramel glaze and pale ivory interiors give these four vintage French stoneware cider cups their simple decorative appeal. Each cup has a wide bowl, a small loop handle and a raised foot ring. The bases carry impressed “RENAULT BERRY FRANCE” marks.
Known as bolées de cidre, the cups combine an open bowl shape with a compact handled form. Their thick walls and rounded profiles create a substantial appearance. The matching palette brings the four pieces together as a coordinated set.
Caramel Glaze and Ivory Interiors
The exterior glaze moves between warm ochre, caramel and soft brown tones. Its subdued sheen contrasts with the smoother, lighter interiors. Narrow pale rims define the open tops of the bowls.
The ivory glaze continues across the inner walls and curved bases. This light surface provides a clear contrast to the darker exterior. Small differences in glaze tone give the individual cups their own character.
There is no printed ornament or applied floral decoration. Instead, the appeal comes from the relationship between colour, curved form and ceramic texture. The restrained finish suits the straightforward shape.
Wide Bowls and Loop Handles
Each bowl widens from a small foot towards a gently flared rim. A rounded loop handle joins the body at the side. Its compact curve follows the bowl without extending far beyond it.
The raised foot rings create a slight lift beneath the cups. Their unglazed surfaces reveal the pale buff ceramic body. Turned over, the pieces show the same simple construction and impressed maker’s lettering.
Renault Berry France Marks
The three-line mark reads “RENAULT BERRY FRANCE”. It is impressed into the recessed underside within the foot ring. The reverse photographs show the markings across all four pieces.
These cups date to the mid-20th century and originate from Berry, France. They are offered together as a matching four-piece set. No claim is made that they came from a single production batch.
Size and Decorative Character
Each cup measures approximately 11 cm in diameter and 7 cm high. The broad opening and small foot give the form a balanced silhouette. Grouped together, the cups create a cohesive arrangement.
The caramel and ivory palette pairs naturally with wood, linen and other understated ceramics. Their compact scale works well on an open kitchen shelf or dresser. They also complement a collection of French utilitarian pottery.
Condition
Good vintage condition overall, with well-preserved exterior glaze and clean-looking ivory interiors. All four handles are intact. No chips, cracks or restoration are visible in the photographs.
The unglazed feet retain their impressed marks. Minor surface and glaze variations are consistent with the appearance of vintage stoneware. Detailed views show the rims, interiors, handles and bases.
Key Details
Maker: Renault
Mark: RENAULT BERRY FRANCE, impressed on bases
Period: Mid-20th century
Origin: Berry, France
Material: Stoneware
Form: Wide-bowled cider cups with loop handles and raised foot rings
Quantity: Set of four
Glaze: Caramel-ochre exterior and cream-ivory interior
Diameter: Approximately 11 cm each
Height: Approximately 7 cm each
Condition: Good vintage condition
SKU: 2C173
Why It’s Special
The marked bases, warm glaze and distinctive handled bowl shape give this set a clear identity. Four coordinated pieces offer a pleasing balance of repetition and subtle variation. Their simple form keeps the focus on the stoneware itself.
