We’re always on the look out for that something a bit different so we were really excited to come across Faïencerie Georges on our latest sourcing trip to Paris.
The company was founded in 1898 in Nevers, a region of France renowned for its traditional manufacture of earthenware going back to the sixteenth century. Four generations on, the company is still in family hands and the methods have barely changed. The modelling process uses traditional tools and is followed by two sequences of drying, then by the first firing at 1050°C. Once the enamelling process has taken place, the decoration is applied to the raw glaze by hand drawing. Finally, each item is fired for a second time, this time at at 980°C. Each piece is unique and always marked by the famous two green nodes; the historic emblem of the pottery and that of Ateliers d’Art de France.
What has changed over the generations is the subject matter. This takes its inspiration from photographs taken by members of the family; often in the form of unusual subjects but those recognisable to us all – think bridges, pylons, and factories. One of our favourites is Crane, currently on display in our studio window. The next in the series will follow early next year.
