Prestige, the haute couture of la Faïencerie de Gien
The Prestige earthenware pieces are made and painted by hand according to a two hundred year old know-how. This is the guarantee of a fine Prestige earthenware made and decorated in an entirely traditional way, in Gien in the Loire Valley. Each piece is unique and signed. It reflects the personality of the artist and transmits the spirit of the French art of living. It is the heritage of generations of craftsmen. Some pieces are numbered and published in limited series, this information is annotated in blue with a # in the designation of the products. These top-of-the-range earthenware pieces are true works of art.
Luxury earthenware objects, painted freehand.
The most important workshop at Gien is the decoration workshop. It is composed of about forty people. For the Prestige, i.e. the luxury pieces, several decoration techniques are used, all of which are done by hand.
Linocutting and painting, techniques used on our Prestige earthenware pieces..
Linocut is an engraving technique using copper as a support. Since 1821, hundreds of copper plates of engraved drawings have been filed in our factory. The engraved copper plates are inked. Then the master pottery makers place a thin silk paper on the plate so that it "absorbs" the design. The motifs are then cut out and affixed to the biscuit piece. The painters then apply the different colours with their brushes, modelling them and playing with light and shadow. Each creation is signed by the craftsman with his initials. They can thus increase the interest of the piece with collectors. Each hand-painted Prestige piece is unique, luxurious, a true work of art in earthenware.
Prestige pieces: a unique value.
The Faïencerie de Gien is keen to respect the traditional manufacturing techniques that have made its reputation. The pieces that make up its collections are made by hand in France and require many hours of work as well as special attention to ensure that the result is perfect. In total, a plate passes through the hands of 30 master pottery makers. It is a long and delicate process that requires time, concentration and patience. The details are meticulous, the fillets, handles and lid buttons are applied separately, then glued and painted by hand. These Prestige pieces require a particular requirement and a great deal of know-how, which makes them unique objects. They are sold with a certificate of authenticity.
