Ecritoire en faïence, manufacture de Pont-aux-Choux encrier XVIIIe siècle, France, Porcelaine de Sèvres..

Fine earthenware

Fine earthenware" is earthenware with a white or slightly ivory paste, obtained by a technique of English origin. The decoration is placed on the pre-fired piece then covered with a lead-bearing crystalline varnish. This transparent varnish, unlike tin earthenware, does not mask the already white paste of fine earthenware.
This fine earthenware appeared in France at the end of the 18th century (Manufacture of Pont-aux-Choux) and experienced a very strong development in the 19th century (Earthenware of Creil-Montereau, Earthenware of Choisy-le-Roi, Earthenware Vieillard in Bordeaux) .
There are different paste compositions known as “cailloutage” or “pipe clay”. The addition of lime phosphate first, then kaolin, explains the improper name of "opaque porcelain" or "half-porcelain" given to it by manufacturers at the time of industrial art exhibitions. .
The printing process remains the most appropriate decorative innovation for this type of ceramic. This process, in which the decoration inked on tissue paper is absorbed by the porous surface of the biscuit, favored the emergence of industrial ceramics.

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