Quimper Style

You have to make an effort to visit this

lovely corner of France, the northwestern most corner of Bretagne, north and west of Paris

  

You have to be driven, as I am, to see and investigate every major ceramic region in the world.

And lucky for us, nearby, we found the beautiful

Manoir de Kerlédan a luxury French Bed and Breakfast.

The salon, where we had cocktails by a roaring fire at precisely 7:30 p.m each evening.

Followed by a gourmet dinner prepared for us by the very talented and lovely Penny, the proprietress of this 15th century Manor House.

Penny and Peter Dinwiddie dedicated many years of their young lives to the rebuilding and restoration of this neglected old stone chateau.

The beginning, 1964. 

Every part of this old Manor House was lovingly restored over a period of many years  by Penny and Peter.

Formal Gardens were laid out and are judiciously kept by Peter.

beautiful bedrooms await the visitor.

We must go back and see what plans Penny and Peter have for this antique treasure.

 About an hours drive from Carhaix-Plouguer, the home of  Karledan Manor House, the town of Quimper (pronounced kem-pair) holds a very fine ceramic museum, the Musée de la Faience,

Quimper, Bretagne, France.

Throwing pots has not changed much over the centuries.  The flywheel was used then, an electric wheel has made life easier today. 

Established in 1690, the Quimper factory is still producing fine hand painted ceramics.  You can visit the factory from Monday through Friday.

Quimper Faience designs feature Men and Women in traditional Breton Costumes, celebrating their Celtic Heritage. 

 

Have  great remainder of the week my dear

Blogging Friends,

Gina

Majolica, Maiolica. Which is it?

But first, What is it?

I found this very large Tile Mural set into a house wall in the historic hill top town of Deruta, Italy.

It shows, in pictures, the turning, the forming, the painting and finally, the process of firing ceramics in a wood burning kiln.

The mural was copied from the original, a treatsie entitled "The Three Books of the Potters Art" written by Cipriano Picolpaso in 1556.  Picolpaso's book describes the different techniques of great ceramic Artists.

  Maiolica is hand decorated, tin glazed earthenware. 

During the Moorish occupation of Spain, in the 8th century the technique of tin glazed wares was transmitted to Southern Europe via the trade centers on the island of Mallorca, hence the name.

Victoria and Albert Museum

The technique of painting bright colors on pure white background spread from Spain to Italy and Portugal and to Northern Europe.  At the beginning of the 16th century Guido di Savino of Castel Durante, Italy, emigrated to Antwerp, Holland and set up a family business.

Castel Durante

Maiolica and Majolica are pronounced the same, with the "j" making a "ya" sound.

The English appropriated Maiolica and changed its spelling to Majolica.

Many experts like to differentiate ceramics, which are produced outside of Italy, by giving them the name Majolica.  Most often they are also 3 dimensional in shape and form. 

Marie-LanNguyen, Louvre

Best known for his unusual technique of incorporating strange animals, such as snakes and  lizards is Bernard Palissy (1510-1590). Palissy popularized a rustic form of ceramic art called Palissy Ware. 

So,  if you see a lovely and colorful piece of ceramic from Italy it should be called Maiolica or Maioliche (plural).  If you are in England it could be called Majolica.  If in  Austria or Germany it could be called  Majolika.  If you are in Holland it is probably called Delftware.  If you are in France it is probably called Faience.  If you are in Spain and in Mexico it is probably called Talavera.  And if you are in Turkey it is probably called Iznik.......  

Totally confused?  Me too.

Warm wishes to all my dear Blogging Friends.

Gina