2023-02-01
Faïence is a ceramic characterized by its warm, creamy shade and lack of translucence. Similar to porcelain, made from impure kaolin, it became extremely popular with Wedgwood wares.
A few words about faïence
Faïence is more porous than porcelain, less translucent and heavier, and is therefore considered a less noble material than its relative porcelain, but its “lack of nobility” is compensated for by its warmer colour and high scratch resistance. Faïence can be distinguished between fine and delicate. Fine faïence is fired at 900 °C and consists of coloured clays with added calcium. It was glazed white with a lead-tin glaze. On the other hand, fine faïence is somewhat of a peer of European porcelain – it was perfected in England around 1720 by Wedgwood. Manufactured from kaolin clays and covered with a lead-borax glaze, it quickly supplanted faïence glazed with a lead-tin glaze.
Origins of faïence
The origin of faïence is linked to attempts to imitate majolica vessels from Majorca. In the 15th century, in the Italian town of Faenza, the first attempts were made to produce similar vessels. It was from the name of the town of Faenza that the name 'faïence' was derived. Faïence production gradually moved from Italy to the north – initially to France, then to the area around the Dutch town of Delft, to Germany and further to the eastern areas of Europe, including Poland.