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Faience
The term faience refers to tin-glazed earthenware made primarily in France beginning in the 16th century, when French factories began copying majolica, particularly in the town of Faenza—hence “faience.” Today, the most collectible antique faience is from the Brittany town of Quimper, although faience was also made in Rouen, Desvres, Strasbourg, Nevers, and many other towns in France and in Germany.
Faience was crafted in a myriad of forms, including plates, jewelry boxes, bells, spice carriers, lamps, candlesticks, mantel clocks, inkwells, figures, musical instruments, and even barometers.
Quimper has had faience factories since the 1700s. The region’s ample supplies of clay and wood kept the Quimper potteries going even during the late 1700s, when many potteries in France failed. A classic Quimper motif is a clog-wearing Breton figure in the countryside, often executed in blue on an off-white background.
Rouen, in Normandy, had potteries as early at the 1500s. The Rouen style is characterized by floral designs and a very soft palette, pale blues or dull reds on an off-white background. Desvres, in northern France, also had faience potteries, and is also known for floral patterns in muted tones. This overlapping of designs, colors, and styles makes it imperative for serious faience collectors to study their subject.
Faience was crafted in a myriad of forms, including plates, jewelry boxes, bells, spice carriers, lamps, candlesticks, mantel clocks, inkwells, figures, musical instruments, and even barometers.
Quimper has had faience factories since the 1700s. The region’s ample supplies of clay and wood kept the Quimper potteries going even during the late 1700s, when many potteries in France failed. A classic Quimper motif is a clog-wearing Breton figure in the countryside, often executed in blue on an off-white background.
Rouen, in Normandy, had potteries as early at the 1500s. The Rouen style is characterized by floral designs and a very soft palette, pale blues or dull reds on an off-white background. Desvres, in northern France, also had faience potteries, and is also known for floral patterns in muted tones. This overlapping of designs, colors, and styles makes it imperative for serious faience collectors to study their subject.
Latest page update: made by jsonderg
, Apr 19 2007, 12:46 PM EDT
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