Barbotines are ancient French ceramics with vibrant colors and raised shapes that became very fashionable from the second half of the 19th century until the 1930s.
In the previous post, we saw the history of barbotines.
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In this post, we explore the techniques of creation and the exquisite decorations of the ancient French manufactories.
The Technique of Barbotines
From a technical standpoint, these ceramics were crafted from a mixture of water and very diluted clay, which was then poured into plaster molds with the shape of the piece or used to “glue” and connect the applied elements, such as handles.
This technique was already known in previous times and used to create pieces with complex shapes. However, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became widespread and industrialized. Thus, there emerged an abundant production of items like cache-pots, vases, pitchers, plates, etc. The highly liquid mixture was poured into plaster molds, with some water being absorbed by the plaster. As the barbotine dried, it contracted, making it easy to detach from the mold.
The colored glazing was then applied by brush, manually, or, in the case of less valuable objects, stencil masks and a color vaporizer, such as an airbrush, were used. In the first case, a more detailed effect was achieved, while in the second case, the strokes were often more approximate, the colors blended, and did not perfectly match the raised pattern.
The colors were obtained by mixing metallic oxides into the glaze. Each factory had its closely guarded secrets, but sometimes, a skilled worker would leave, and then the secret would be divulged. It often happens to find the same pattern repeated by different manufacturers who copied each other extensively.
All the major French factories engaged in this production, from Sarreguemines to Choisy-le-Roi, Lunéville, St. Amand, Salins, Poet Laval, Saint Clément, Longwy, Gien, Orchies, Fives-Lille, Onnaing, Vallauris. These are just some of the brands that can be found in French barbotine.
Decorative Motifs of Barbotines
Having developed over a period of more than 50 years, barbotine production was necessarily varied, and the decorative themes used were very diverse. However, some sources of inspiration seem to emerge more prominently, following the fashions and tastes of the time.
Four major trends were the most followed:
The first can be called the Revival trend of old styles;
The second is the exotic trend;
The third is the naturalistic trend;
The fourth is the anecdotal trend.
1. Barbotines and the revival trend
The 19th century was enamored with the past, so both in decorative arts and in architecture, it drew much inspiration from previous styles, hence the Revival of styles. For example, the Gothic style is very important for barbotines. The Renaissance style, which led to the production of very rich pieces with decorative elements like acanthus leaves, grotesques, caryatids, in compositions that today appear overly ornate and full.
2. Barbotines, the exotic trend, and japonisme
In 1867, Japan participated for the first time in a Universal Exhibition: it had opened its borders to international trade only a few years earlier, hence the spread of the “Japonisme” style.
Japanese art began to be imported and fascinated both the general public and the most avant-garde artists and painters of the time (for example, the Impressionists).
Japanese art, with its effect of simplification, brings back to the essential, privileging the purity of line, soon conquering the West; hence, we also find its influence in decorative arts, although it must be said that everything that came from the Far East was assimilated into an incredible mix of styles ranging from China to Japan.
Thus, we see a flourishing of barbotine ceramics directly copied from ancient oriental bronzes or influenced by oriental decorations. We then see the emergence of asymmetry, bamboo canes, as seen, for example, in these cups.
Fiori di ciliegio, insetti, uccelli dal piumaggio variegato, come in questi piatti
Thus, the study of the smallest details of nature and the simplification of lines, as only the Japanese, in their calm and balanced relationship with the plant and animal world, knew how to do, became important.
3. Barbotines, naturalism, and Art Nouveau
The third stylistic trend was that of Naturalism and Art Nouveau: here is a real triumph for barbotines! Flowers, branches with leaves, fruit, animals of all kinds were represented with exemplary realism.
Thus, shells transform into cups as seen in this splendid tea set from Sarreguemines.
The corolla of a flower becomes a vase as seen in this wall vase from Fives-Lille shaped like a hibiscus with a butterfly.
The cup is the corolla of a flower, and the saucer is formed by the petals as seen in these mauve-colored cups from Luneville.
Pansies bloom on the plate produced by Choisy Le Roi.
And delicate wild strawberries appear on the pitcher from Choisy le Roi.
And they chase each other on the delightful fruit bowl “George Sand” produced by Creil Monterau, part of the “Fraise” set.
However, everything must be useful and have a function; function arises from form. At the beginning of the 20th century, Art Nouveau emerged, where the flower is still omnipresent but transformed, redesigned, with lines becoming undulating, everything is in motion and fluidity as seen in this beautiful jug with lilacs from the St. Amande factory and in this plate with stylized irises.
And in this set of vases with a fireplace planter.
While delightful violets bloom on these rare coffee cups with butterfly-shaped handles.
4. Barbotines and the anecdotal trend
The last trend was the Anecdotal or Current Events trend, which led to the production of mainly pitchers and plates with anthropomorphic subjects taken from the world of politics and current events, often in a humorous and caricatured way.
The most common barbotine ceramic items were the so-called “fantasy” articles, meaning vases, planters, cache-pots, dessert sets, asparagus sets, oyster sets, and smoking sets.
The world of barbotines is therefore a world of extravagant, eye-catching items with high decorative impact, extremely fascinating, and a true reflection of an era.
“FRENCH BARBOTINE Plate VIOLETS by Choisy Le Roi”
“FRENCH Barbotine STRAWBERRY Cake Stand GEORGE SAND marked Creil Monterau 1850”
“Antique French Barbotine Salt Box with Rose”
