Stephani Stephenson on sat 13 sep 03
In discussing meaning of terra cotta, came across following
reference to 'faience'as 'glazed earthenware'
and even a company which referred to their mechanically
pressed architectural ornament as 'faience'.
I was unfamiliar with the latter definition and wonder if it
was sort of a 'marketing' name for the company's products? I
have seen reference to architectural ceramics companies
named 'Such and Such faience Co." and I have always wondered
about the word in that context.
I think of faience as a French term.
Italian Maioloca or majolica, Dutch delft, French faience,:
names given tin glazed earthenware in the respective
countries.
What is the meaning of the word itself? Faience experts
wherever you are, enlighten us!
You can pull out the books tonight!
What is the final word on faience?
(Though sometimes the final word is not nearly as
interesting as hearing about all of the different meanings
and usage, and even which misconceptions we share..)
Stephani Stephenson
steph@alchemiestudio.com.
Vince Pitelka on sun 14 sep 03
> I think of faience as a French term.
> Italian Maioloca or majolica, Dutch delft, French faience,:
> names given tin glazed earthenware in the respective
> countries.
Stephani -
As I understand it, the tradition of tin-glazedd pottery entered France from
Italy via the northern Italian city of Faenza, and the French translation is
Faience. Thus, the French version of tin-glazed pottery was or is referred
to as Faience. By some convolution of terminology, at some point in the
early 20th century, art historians and/or archaeologists started referring
to ancient Egyptian pots and amulets as faience, even though they are not
tin-glazed, and even though there are several widely differing techniques
used in ancient Egyptian ceramics, including conventional glazed clay wares
and Egyptian paste wares. So I am not sure where it came into such wide and
inaccurate use, but in seems that the term is often used as a generic
reference to glazed low-fired wares.
I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Office - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 x111, FAX 615/597-6803
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
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