Inspirations from Europe
Discover the most beautiful tables and know-how in Europe
The fine, sunny sandstone of Portugal
Stoneware is a ceramic, that is to say a clay fired at high temperature, like porcelain and earthenware. But unlike other terracotta, the clay that composes it has a very high silica content. This particularly resistant ceramic is dishwasher, oven and microwave safe. It withstands shocks and does not chip. Ideal tableware for sunny daily meals!
Portugal has a long tradition in ceramic manufacturing and is today one of the European leaders in ceramic, porcelain, stoneware and earthenware tableware.
French porcelain
Limoges is the cradle of porcelain in Europe. The pioneering account of the manufacture of this ceramic dates from 1712 and is attributed to Father François-Xavier d'Entrecolles, a Jesuit scholar from Limoges, following a trip to the "East Indies". He then details the ancestral Chinese techniques of making porcelain, at a time when the dazzling Chinese creations were coveted by the European royal courts. The industrial initiative began with the opening of the first factories in Saxony and Strasbourg. In 1768, the advent of kaolin deposits in Haute-Vienne allowed Limoges to enter the prestigious history of porcelain.
In the 2000s, the sector was undermined by globalization and declined. However, some historic manufacturers reinvented themselves and other young ones emerged to offer a range of local, eco-responsible and sustainable porcelain.
Bohemian Crystal
Bohemian crystal is a form of fine glassware that has its historical origins in Bohemia, a region located in what is now the Czech Republic. Glass production in Bohemia dates back to the Middle Ages, as early as the 13th century. The region was already known for its artisanal glassmaking workshops. It was in the 16th century that the Bohemian glass industry began to distinguish itself significantly with the introduction of new techniques and the influence of Italian glassmakers.
Bohemian crystal reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries, thanks in part to the development of complex engraving and cutting techniques, which contributed to the worldwide reputation of Bohemian crystal. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, crystal production in Bohemia experienced a considerable boom. And despite the political and economic turbulence of the 20th century, Bohemian crystal remains a precious heritage of European glass art, symbolizing both a rich history and an artisanal excellence recognized worldwide.
