The reputation of the pottery produced here is almost legendary. Over the course of the two centuries that this family business existed, it generated a following of loyal admirers worldwide. The range consisted of all kinds of earthenware pieces, such as tableware, vases, and flowerpots, but also works of art, frescoes, and even stoves.
The factory was founded in 1790 but initially faced major problems, including difficulties with the supply of raw materials, as well as hostility and distrust from the population. Moreover, competition from primarily English producers was fierce. Around the turn of the century, the factory was taken over by an inventive young German. He introduced new decoration techniques and the use of the finest raw materials, and thus managed to turn the tide quickly. Napoleon became one of the best customers, causing orders to pour in soon and making expansion of the company necessary.
The current factory, including this mold storage facility, dates from this period of expansion between 1850 and 1860. During its heyday, the company employed over 3,200 workers. The late 1970s marked a turning point. The company had by then been taken over by another family, who ceased tableware production to focus on wall and floor tiles. In the early 2000s, turnover dropped sharply, leaving around 100 employees trying to keep the company afloat. Barely five years later, the company went into liquidation after all. Shortly thereafter, the court declared bankruptcy, and the curtain fell definitively on two centuries of industrial history…
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