The nearby village of Thiviers (20 kms) is renowned for its tradition of creating beautiful earthenware pottery, whose signature colour is a splendid red.
You can find several examples of these lovely pieces chez nous at our small museum at the Ferme d’Araucanie, which we maintain in the former barn in tribute to local artisans and which also includes a selection of antique furniture, tools and traditional odds and ends.
It is thought that the craft of earthenware design was brought to the area at some point in the 18th century by one Nicolas Dubourdieu, following its development in Renaissance Italy, and whose descendants continued the tradition for generations. In fact as far back as 1755 the Dubourdieu company began producing earthenware tiles, not only for lining walls, but likewise for decoration. Recently, as older houses have been modernised and kitchens re-fitted this type of tile, stencilled in blue on a white background with lace-like patterns, has become increasingly difficult to find.
The production of tableware and kitchen pottery came later, and by 1789 almost 5000 pieces left the factory doors. The quality was famed throughout France, and although various shades of blue, green and yellow were manufactured, it was for the reds that they were best known, the base ingredients being extracted from the iron-rich rocks of the Dordogne.
(Specifically, the famous "Rouge de Thiviers" was perfected by one of the descendants, Jacques Dubourdieu, using silico-ferruginous materials containing quartz and goethite. After firing, the red pigment particles were encased in inert quartz grains, protecting them at high temperatures (1,000°C) thereby ensuring such a vivid tonality.)
In 1853, the new earthenware factory of Sicaire Demarthon and Pierre Gendreau was established. Their pieces were primarily decorated with blue fleur-de-lys and small floral patterns; their use of reds was rare. By 1870, three earthenware factories were operating in the region, employing about 25 workers and artisans, each specialized in different stages of production.
However, in 1907, following the death of the last of the Dubourdieu’s, the two remaining factories merged, continuing the production of kitchen pottery and decorative blue-flower earthenware.
World War I led to a drop in production and the last factory closed in 1930. Today, thanks to an association dedicated to preserving the memory of this industry, you can explore various surviving collections at the museum located in Thiviers town hall.
