Museum of Faïence

 

 

Museum of Faïence in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

The museum was inaugurated the 15th of September 1929, thanks to Marcel Provence and the Academy of Moustiers. In 1927, none of the workshops were working. The 1870's war aswell as the industrial competition altered this traditional art. It is Marcel Provence who lighted back an oven and resurrected the economy by surrounding himself with experienced ceramists. He is the one who revived faïence in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. 

" To create a faïence Museum in Moustiers could have sound reckless " Marcel Provence, 1936.


Blue Show Room

To create ceramic, you need clay, wood and water. All of these elements were combined in Moustiers. Before it was shaped, clay had to be pounded, cleaned and moldered for a few months. Moustiers's clay was stored a long periode to be moldered, which created its exceptional quality and reputation. It is a good quality clay : it contains enough lime for the object not to break after its first cooking process and for the enamel to perfectly bond. The enamel aspect depends on the chimical composition. The finess of the object allows it to a beautiful sound. When you come visit the Museum you cannot be unconcerned by the Bleu Show Room. This room essentially gathers faïence with bleu decors, coming from the two main factories of the 17th and 18th centuries : Clérisst and Olérys. The chandelier was made in 1900. It is made of clear-glass from Murano with pure golden sequins.

 

 

 

To know everything about the decors

At the end of the 17th century we can mostly find blue and white decors. Later come more somptuous decors: swags, mythological scenes, flowers and animals.

Moustiers's faïence had an important reputation throughout Europe before it stopped around 1870. 

Today, ceramists continue this age-old tradition but with more modern decors.

 

During your visit to the Museum, you will understand the processing steps of manufacture thanks to several explanatory signs ; you will discover the evolution from the 17th century to today ;  you will have the possibility to enjoy art made by the best ceramists of our town : Clérissy, Olérys and Ferrat.

 

 

Crédits photos: Julien Grondin