French faience manufacturers

A guide to French faience manufacturers and their marks

The small mark on the bottom of French faience – le tampon – is more than just a logo; it is what gives you an idea of where it comes from and which period it is from.

I have created an overview guide to the most iconic ones and how to recognize them. It should be noted, however, that each manufacturer has changed logos over the years and had specific model logos, etc. So, if you want to delve further into that world, there are links to pages that go into greater depth.

But before we dive into the various logos, we must dispel a small myth: Just because there isn't a stamp, it doesn't mean that it isn't "authentic".

In fact, there are quantities of truly beautiful faience from the large houses like Digoin or St. Amand that were never stamped. Sometimes this was because they were part of a cheaper everyday set or a bistro set; other times, the stamp was simply worn off during firing or forgotten in the rush.

So, if the shape, glaze, and pattern scream "French," trust your gut feeling – even if the bottom is blank.

The big 5: Manufacturers you should know

When we talk about French faience, there are some names that appear again and again. Here are the most important ones you will encounter on your way:

Digoin & Sarreguemines

This is undoubtedly the "king" of French everyday tableware. Originally, they started separately but merged in the 1870s.

The style: Known for the classic red and blue floral patterns, café au lait bowls, and dinner sets.

The stamp: Look for the characteristic shield or the text "Digoin & Sarreguemines" written in an arc.

There have been many different logos over time, so if you want to delve a little deeper into Digoin & Sarreguemines, check out the Sarreguemines museum.

Gien

If you are looking for something a bit more refined and artistic, Gien is what you should look for. The factory was founded in 1821 and still exists today.

Gien was the court's preferred supplier because they were specialists in painting coats of arms and monograms in the center of plates.

The style: Famous for their deep blue colors (Gien blue), detailed Renaissance patterns, and their sets with blue birds (peonies and birds of paradise).

The stamp: Gien has used many different stamps over time, but the most classic ones often show a castle or a coat of arms with the word "Gien" centrally placed.

Lunéville / K&G (Keller & Guérin)

One of the oldest manufacturers, and the faience often feels a bit lighter than, for example, Digoin. Both are clay-fired faience, but Lunéville's quality hallmark was precisely that it was finer and more luxurious.

The style: Very classic French. This is often where you find the beautiful, simple white plates with wavy edges or the famous "Réverbère" patterns with colorful flowers and insects.

The stamp: Look out for the letters K & G (for Keller and Guérin) under or over the word "Lunéville." This is the period when they won medals for their technical skill.

Lunéville's logo has not changed much over time, so if you come across a logo that does not contain a crest but simply the text K & G Lunéville, it is from their early period.

Saint-Amand

St-Amand is one of the faience manufacturers that has had the most name changes, and therefore it is also easier to find faience that has been under their umbrella.

The style: St. Amand was known for transferring detailed copper engravings to the faience, especially motifs in dusty and dark green or blue with birds and flowers.

The stamp: Stamps that also fall under the St. Amand umbrella are Moulin des Loups, & Hamage, and Orchies. All with or without St-Amand in the logo.

Creil & Montereau

Creil & Montereau's faience is very light and thin. The factories merged in 1840 and quickly became known for their incredible precision until 1920, after which they existed under the Choisy le Roi brand.

The style: It is "fine" faience in the sense that the glaze is whiter and clearer, which also makes the motifs appear sharper. They have made quite a few truly beautiful sets with wildflowers.

The stamp: They have had many different stamps over time, so it is easier to look for the combination of names. If you are looking for some of the very old pieces of faience, look for the stamp L.M Cie (Lebœuf & Millet), or one of the slightly newer ones from the period 1920–1955, which is HBCM, standing for Hippolyte Boulenger Creil Montereau.

How to read the stamp: 3 quick tips

When you turn it upside down, look for these details:

The text (language and origin)

Impressed numbers

Many of the manufacturers have small numbers impressed in the bottom next to the stamp. They refer either to the potter's number, the size of the mold, or sometimes the exact year of production.

Incised stamps (marqué en creux)

Sometimes the stamp is not printed with ink, but pressed directly into the clay while it was wet and before it was fired. This is often a sign of high quality and older production from the mid-1800s.

I hope this gave you a bit of an overview of the French faience manufacturers. There are plenty of others of smaller size where you can also find truly beautiful faience, so my recommendation is to look at the name and follow your gut feeling.

Happy hunting :)