Emaux de Briare
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mosaic art, ceramics |
| Founded | 1845 in Paris, France |
| Founder | Jean-Félix Bapterosses |
| Headquarters | Briare , France |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Mosaic tiles, porcelain buttons, beads |
| Website | www |
Emaux de Briare is a French enterprise specializing in mosaic art. Originating from the production of earthenware pottery, the factory established in Paris by Jean-Félix Bapterosses (1813–1885) began manufacturing porcelain buttons in 1845. The company's merger in 1851 marked the beginning of its global outreach, with products displayed at the 1851 Great Exhibition in the United Kingdom and by 1853 reaching the American market.
Early years
Initially known as Bapterosses & Cie in Paris, the firm produced porcelain buttons using a technique akin to Richard Prosser's 1840 patent but advanced it by inventing a machine capable of molding 500 buttons simultaneously—significantly outperforming rivals such as Mintons. This innovation was supported by a novel paste mixture that incorporated milk to enhance plasticity. Jean-Félix Bapterosses received the distinction of Officer of the French Legion of Honor in 1878; his bust is exhibited at the enamel and mosaic museum in Briare.
Today
Emaux de Briare now delivers mosaics internationally for a variety of applications, including the walkways at Miami Marlins stadium designed by Carlos Cruz-Diez. Its North American division operates out of Copiague, New York.
Buttons
Bapterosses & Cie emphasized innovation and productivity improvements. In 1858, they secured a patent for buttons featuring shanks (US patent No. 19,120). Jean-Félix Bapterosses also led early branding efforts by marketing items under the FB trademark and highlighting international awards.
Beads
As colonial commerce expanded, demand grew for decorative beads in African markets. The product range included faceted beads, mother-of-pearl beads, and chevron beads. These beads were also traded with Native Americans during the late 19th century and attracted fashion-oriented buyers.
Mosaics
The Art Nouveau era sparked renewed enthusiasm for mosaics. Émaux de Briare introduced pre-cut mosaic tiles that lowered expenses for architectural decoration compared to traditional techniques. During the Art Deco period, the company partnered with prominent architects such as Robert Mallet-Stevens (notably for the bathroom in Villa Cavrois). Later, their mosaics became integral to the Op art movement, collaborating with artists like Victor Vasarely and Yaacov Agam. Presently, Briare mosaics continue to be favored by street artists including French Invader.
The American market
Émaux de Briare's buttons were presented at the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York City in 1853. By 1876, their beads were featured at Philadelphia's Centennial Exposition, where they received a prize medal. Mosaics were later showcased at Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
Notable American clients during the late 19th century included:
- Howard, Sanger Co dry goods store, New York
- Louis B. Binsse & Co fancy goods store, New York
- Dieckerhoff, Raffloer, New York
- Ostheimer Bros., Philadelphia
Other markets
Émaux de Briare exhibited at numerous international fairs: Paris (awarded honor medal in 1855; gold medal in 1867; Grand Prize in 1878 and 1889), London (prize medal in 1862), Porto (received "gloria victoribus" medal in 1865), Vienna (medal in 1873), Sydney (1879), Melbourne (1880), Amsterdam (medal in 1883), and Antwerp (gold medal in 1885).
Their bead products achieved significant popularity across late-19th-century Africa due to their uniform designs replicating ancient bead styles.