Faiencerie de Gien Royal Transferware Lidded Tureen
A beautiful antique French faience (earthenware with white opaque glaze) lidded tureen embellished with a blue heart, rose and butterfly transferware pattern. The pattern, "Royal", produced by what is now the largest faience factory of its kind in Europe, Faïencerie de Gien. The “Porcelain Opaque de Gien Terre de Fer Royal” maker's mark dates the tureen to circa 1886.
Transferware, which got its start in Italy in the late 17th century, is glazed ceramic ware decorated using an engraved copper or steel plate, which is printed onto paper and then transferred onto a ceramic piece. French faience came into being in 1689 when King Louis XIV needed money and taxed tableware made of gold and silver.
History of Gien Pottery: The Faïencerie de Gien was created in 1821 in Gien (Val de Loire), by Englishman Thomas Hall who introduced English earthenware manufacturing techniques. From the mid 19th century to the early 20th, the Faïencerie de Gien mastered the art of imitation and drew inspiration from Rouen, Saxony, Marseille, the Renaissance, the Ottoman Empire, and the Far East. By collaborating with talented painters and engravers, new imaginative pieces are created and the Faïencerie de Gien gained renown producing bespoke dinner services bearing family crests, for prominent French and European houses of the time, as well as through production of tiles for the Parisian Metro stations. The 1980s brought about a restructuring and the start of a new lease on life, and today the Faïencerie de Gien continues to product quality earthenware and has been awarded the prestigious “Living Heritage Company” label.
Found in France
Stamped “NT 2” on the bottom
No chips or cracks
Bears some crazing and staining
Overall condition consistent with age and use
Measures approximately 7.75” W (10.75” W including handles) x 6” H (lid measures 4.5” H)
Available for pick up, local delivery, and nationwide shipping.
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