(ANSAmed) - ROUEN (FRANCE) - Containers of powder for wigs,
galenical vases and chamber pots - today used as gravy boats -
were used during mass in 17th century France by noble women who
could not wait for the end of the long sermons of Louis
Bourdaloue, a Jesuit known as "the king of preachers or the
preacher of kings".
These objects were once commonly used, but today they are
decorative and are made entirely in the workshop-boutique of
Alain and Josseline Augy, the last "maitres faiencier" of Rouen.
Since 1960, in the medieval heart of the Norman capital,
production has resumed in the style of many centuries ago, when
Rouen was known throughout the world for its ceramic production.
"All stages of the production, from the working of the clay to
the modeling, from the drying process to the cooking, and the
glazing and decoration, take place in our laboratory," Alain
Augy tells ANSAmed, as he works surrounded by hundreds of
plates, cups, jugs, drinks coolers, ink pots, majolica, soup
tureens and lamps.
"1856 saw the disappearance of the last craftsman's boutique
in Rouen, the main city of Normandy, which has built its fortune
from these important crafts since 1500," says Augy. During the
renaissance, he goes on, one of the two most important ceramists
in Rouen, Masseot Abaquesne, introduced to French workmanship
productions with themes of clear Italian origin, first amongst
them the galenical vases and majolica. It was only under Louis
XIV, however, that craftsmen from Rouen reached the height of
their fame.
"The Sun King indirectly gave significant impetus to the
industry," Augy says. To finance the wars that drained the
state's coffers, the sovereign had gold and silver plates and
crockery cast. "As a result, the fashion of heraldry painted on
ceramics started to spread, with pieces decorated in blue, red
and yellow, depending on the period".
The city's upwards spiral came to a close in the 18th century,
when the prized Rouen ceramics began to upstaged by their
English equivalent.
A number of ceramists can still be found in the city today.
But none carry out the production process on site. "Many import
pieces still to be cooked from abroad, selling the final product
as one that is made in France".
In 1996, Alain Augy and his wife took over the atelier of
Monsieur and Madame Carpentier, who were responsible for
reviving the practice at the beginning of the 1960s. "Every
year, around three tonnes of earth are delivered to me," he
says. The soft and red earth of Bourgogne and the white earth
of Ferriere-en-Bray are the basic ingredients of a profession
that has now disappeared.
"Business is coming along," says Augy with a smile. The
craftsman's work, which can cost up to 2,400 euros per piece, is
appreciated all over the world, from Japan to Italy. (ANSAmed).
