Gien Faience History

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History of Gien France

Gien is the most prestigious maker of earthenware, "Faience," in France. The history of Gien dinnerware dates back almost 200 years, to 1821 when Thomas Hall wanted to introduce fine English earthenware manufacturing techniques to France.

Gien tableware takes inspiration from many sources, including Rouannais patterns from the 18th century, Italian design, Delft earthenware, Wedgwood and styles from the Far East.

Artisans and craftsmen today take inspiration from Gien’s rich design past to create classic and modern tableware for today’s consumer. Because Gien dinnerware it is fired at lower temperatures than porcelain, its colors are notably rich and warm.

The Origins of Faience

Discovered in Egypt, 2700 years BC, the first objects in faïence were made of a stanniferous glaze applied directly onto ceramic. But it was the Islamic potters that developed faïence, thanks to their research in this technique.

The production of this " glazed pottery " spread across the Byzantine Empire. The name of " stanniferous " ceramics became " majolica ", to finish as " faïence ", mainly due to the very great influence of the Italian town of Faenza, which at that time, was the proud owner of a famous factory.

During the fifteenth century, the Italian ceramists painted directly onto unfired glaze using shades of yellow and violet. These " Italian subjects " became very fashionable as objects of decoration, from the apothecary’s shelves to the aristocrat’s table.

The Renaissance

During the Renaissance, shapes became increasingly complex and style increasingly elaborate, such as the " a isoriato " style, used to illustrate an important event. These were ordered by the princely families, such as the Medici.

During the Baroque period (1570 to 1650), Faenza had managed to perfect a plain white glaze. This meant that the over-elaborate style could be replaced by better, clearer and better spaced-out designs, painted in a range of blues and yellows.

Thus gold and silverware is replaced by faience : water jugs, " rafraîchissoires ", candelabras, flasks....The style is increasing delicate and limits itself to a blue, yellow and orange monochrome.

16th Century in France

It was especially during the sixteenth century that the production of faïence became widespread in France, in part due to the influence of their Italian neighbor.

The faïence craftsmen traveled throughout Europe to teach their trade. In this way the factories of Nîmes, Lyon and Rouen were set up, under the direction of Italian immigrants

Louis XIV - the Sun King

In order to finance his campaigns from 1689 to 1709, Louis XIV ordered by decree that all gold and silver dishes should be melted; he set the example by sending his own dinner service to be made into coinage. The Court had no choice but to follow, and in one week the whole Court was without quality tableware. The melting of this gold and silver suddenly opened up new opportunities for the ceramics manufacturers : the humble earth had been elevated to the most noble of tables.

In Versailles, Louis XIV had the Porcelain " Trianon " built : the walls were decorated with the blue and white tiles from the ceramics manufacturers of Nevers, Saint Cloud and Rouen. Large water jugs with their accompanying basins were ordered : a whole range of objects became widespread and were as elaborate as their gold and silver counterparts. History is such that Louis XIV, although the owner of an impressive collection of Chinese porcelain, preferred faïence by far.

The Golden Age

The Faïence industry flourished right up to the end of the eighteenth century, with the development of a number of factories manufacturing an extraordinary and varied range of products. However, weakened by the troubles associated with the French Revolution, the disappearance of a part of the French nobility, and the impact of the industrial revolution, the French manufacturers slowly but surely lost their place, only to be taken over by English bone-china which had been introduced into France. This was the beginning of a slow decline.

The economic and social context of the nineteenth century helped bring the Faïence industry back to life : a new social middle class, the " bourgeoisie ", contributed significantly.

Gien Historical Styles and Sources of Inspirations

The Gien patterns and styles are a true reflection of French and European earthenware styles from the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries, and also of pottery styles from the Far East.
Gien Faience interpretations of Rouen styles, Dutch blue patterns from Delft, Italian majolica, Marseille rosebuds and others are the pride and honor of Gien. You can see these in the Gien Museum.

Rouannais patterns from the 18th Century helped increase Gien production between 1860 and 1875. Some of the best-known designs are the "horn of plenty" and "radiating" motifs. Other beautiful examples of this work include the "ironwork", "lambrequin", "basket of flowers" and ochre motifs.

The Italian style contributed to Gien's success. These patterns were inspired by Italian majolica earthenware from the Renaissance, especially from Faenza, Urbino and Savona. It is a heavily decorated style: lots of medallions, pairs of lovers, grotesques, goddesses and floral motifs arranged on a white, black, gray or brown background.

Inspiration also comes from Holland and its Delft earthenware styles: Large blooming flowers, pheasants, branches, Chinese motifs, in blue and white.

English Wedgwood porcelain also inspired works
in a bluish white and mauve blue.

The Far East also has its place in Gien's works from 1866 to 1871. The so-called "Japanese" design is characterized by birds with glistening plumage, peach-blossom branches in bloom on bright turquoise, yellow, bistre-brown and white backgrounds. Another feature of this style are shapes adapted from Chinese pottery.

The Gien Museum
The Faienceries de Gien created the Gien Museum in 1986, that is visited by more than 40,000 people each year.

Built in an old clay body cave dating back to the 16th century, the museum tells the history of Gien from 1821 to the present.

Two rooms, including a 19th century dining room, show popular faience and artistic faience, along with many spectacular pieces created for different World's Fairs in the 19th Century.

The Museum is located in Gien, France, 78, Place de la Victoire.