Lunéville Faience
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ceramics |
| Founded | 1730 |
| Founder | Jacques Chambrette |
| Headquarters | Lunéville , France |
Area served | International |
| Products | Faience, ceramics, figurines |
Number of employees | 1100 (ca. 1900) |
Luneville Faience is a distinguished French ceramics producer located in Lunéville, within the Lorraine area of France, with origins dating back to 1730.
History
The inaugural fine pottery workshop in Lorraine was established by Jacques Chambrette Senior in 1711. His son initiated the trade of faience in Lunéville by 1722 and founded a manufacturing facility there in 1730, shortly before receiving authorization from the local duke.
In 1748, he introduced "terre de Lorraine," a novel earthenware influenced by English ceramic techniques. By the following year, 1749, he had earned the distinction of being the official Royal manufactory granted by Stanislaus I, the former king of Poland.
To circumvent substantial French taxes imposed on imports into Lorraine, Chambrette inaugurated an additional factory in 1758 situated at Saint-Clément, Meurthe-et-Moselle, which lay within French borders. Upon his passing, the two factories separated; the Saint-Clément site was acquired by Richard Mique in 1763.
After declaring bankruptcy in 1785, Sébastien Keller took ownership of the Lunéville factory in 1786. The Keller family managed the enterprise for an extensive period of 137 years. Around 1832, Keller's son formed a partnership with his brother-in-law Guérin, leading to the creation of the K&G (or KG) trademark derived from their surnames.
By the turn of the 20th century, the company employed approximately 1,100 individuals. Its wares gained international recognition and were prominently featured at various artistic and industrial exhibitions.
Developments since 1968
The original Lunéville factory now functions as a retail outlet; meanwhile, manufacturing operations persist at Saint-Clément.
Key products
- In 1746: A statue depicting Nicolas Ferry, known as "le nain bébé," was presented to the royal court.
- During the 1770s: Vases crafted by Richard Mique in the Louis XV style were produced, some of which remain exhibited at Versailles' Petit Trianon queen’s hamlet.
Notable designers and artists associated with Lunéville
- Charles-Adzir Trouillot
- Auguste Majorelle
- Jean-Baptiste Pillement
- Mougin brothers
- Géo Condé
- Ernest Bussière
- Émile Gallé
- Paul-Louis Cyfflé
See also
Further reading
- Eileen Aldridge, porcelain, Paul Hamlyn, 1969, 160 pages, ISBN 9780600001348
- Maurice Noël, Recherches sur la céramique Lorraine, Nancy, faculté de lettre, 1961, 225 pages
- Docteur René Ducret, Les faïenceries de Lunéville et de Saint-Clément, Mut'imprim, Lunéville, 15 pages
- Pierre Poncet, Je m'appelle "Réverbère", Mut'imprim, Lunéville, 1999, 32 pages
- Pierre Poncet, En pays Lunévillois, l'histoire de la faïence au XXème siècle, Amis de la faïence ancienne de Lunéville, Saint-Clément et du pays du Lunévillois, Lunéville, May 2003, 101 pages
- Geneviève Aubry, Catherine Calame & alii, la route du Chinois, Association des amis de la faïence ancienne de Lunéville-Saint-Clément, Lunéville, July 1995, 48 pages
- Jacques Peiffer, Les Frères Mougin, sorciers du grand feu 1898-1950, Faton, Lunéville, January 2001, 240 pages, ISBN 978-2-87844-047-8