The Art and Beauty of French Majolica

We have a number of French majolica in the store, so we thought you might be interested in learning a little more about these collectibles:

Adored by Victorians, majolica pottery is a collector’s dream. Those who admire it, find it hard to resist the beauty and craftsmanship of a majolica piece.

To produce majolica, a potter will mold a lump of clay and place it in the open air to dry. Once this process is finished, the clay will undergo a method known as Biscotto or the “bisque stage”. This is where the clay is placed in a kiln and fired to a temperature of 750 degrees. Once the piece is fired, the bisque is dipped in a Smalto, allowed to harden, and then hand-painted.

While majolica imposters do exist, true French majolica can be identified by either its markings or by color–teals, greens, and reds are most common. Themes were often nature-inspired often with  leaves, fruit, and floral decorations.

And once you have a piece of your own, majolica begs to be displayed and admired. Here is a lovely way to showcase your majolica as featured  in  Vogue Living, Australia.

By Jessica Scheufler

French Lessons: Go loco for Rococo

Known for its asymmetrical lines and shell and leaf wall carvings, Rococo was a lavish style adopted by French aristocrats in the early 18th century.

Unlike Baroque design, where richer color palettes such as greens and golds prevailed, the Rococo style was light and airy. Adding to this lighter feel, Rococo rooms were often oval with large windows serving as the focal point. Furniture still took on the ornate characteristics of Baroque, but instead of arranging furniture according to status, Rococo pieces were placed in a circular configuration to encourage conversation between guests.

If you want to learn more about this fascinating time period in French history, you might want to explore The National Gallery of Art Web site.

By Jessica Scheufler

Mirror, Mirror

Little did he know, when Louis XIV installed the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, what a good thing he was onto. Sure, no modern-day room needs 350 mirrors like that 17^th-century marvel. But whether it’s intended to be a purely decorative piece or function as a place to check your appearance, a mirror can enhance any space.

Particularly striking is the trumeau mirror, which originated in 18^th-century France—too late to be part of the Hall of Mirrors but it’s been much-prized since its inception.  Intended to hang on the wall between windows, a trumeau mirror provided a decorative element while bringing more light into the room. A typical trumeau is rectangular in shape, with the bottom portion reserved for the mirror and the top decorative embellishment. Many antique versions are painted or feature relief carving, a nod to the ornate plaster frieze that often adorned walls of the time.

By Louise Lange

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