Vintage Hand-Painted French Souvenir Vase - Carcassonne Motifs

This is a tapered ceramic souvenir vase featuring a hand-painted scene depicting the medieval fortified city of Carcassonne. The vase stands approximately 8 to 10 inches tall and is crafted from a light-colored earthenware or porcelain with a glossy glaze. The background is a soft, buttery cream-to-yellow gradient. The central artwork illustrates the iconic stone towers and battlements of the French citadel, utilizing a fine-line sketch technique with watercolor-style washes of ochre, green, and brown. The name 'Carcassonne' is hand-scripted in the upper left of the design. The rim appears to have a thin gold-gilt accent, though it shows some minor thinning or rubbing consistent with age. Notable markings include a 'Decor' signature or mark on the lower right flank of the image, suggesting artisanal finishing rather than mass-produced transfer printing. The condition is generally good, though there is a faint vertical hairline visible near the base of the tower and minor surface abrasions. There's a modern retail sticker at the top rim. This piece likely dates from the mid-20th century (c. 1950s-1970s), a period popular for such European travel mementos. The craftsmanship shows a high degree of detail in the stonework and foliage, elevating it above standard tourist ware.