Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Pottery
Right
Lacemaking
Arts and Crafts
Pottery
With good-quality clay and
a constant demand for jugs and
mugs in which to serve cider
and milk, there is a long tradition
of pottery-making in Normandy.
At the Musée de la Poterie in
Ger (between Flers and Mortain),
you can see how the craft has
developed over 500 years, and
watch a potter at work. In Noron-
la-Poterie near Bayeux, salt-glaze
pottery has been made since the
Middle Ages; several studios are
still in operation. The painted
earthenware of Forges-les-
Eaux is on display in the
Musée de Faïence there.
19th-century villas of Deauville,
they can also be spotted in the
Bayeux Tapestry. You could have
one too: at Poterie du Mesnil de
Bavent in Ranville, ceramic finials
have been hand-produced since
1842
(see p94)
.
Lacemaking
From the 17th to 19th
centuries, lace was all the rage
across Europe. In Normandy,
Alençon, Argentan and Bayeux
were the three main centres of
production, each with their
own technique. Exquisite
examples can be seen in
all three towns, while
Bayeux's bobbin lace
with its intricate floral
motif is still made by
a dedicated group of
craftswomen
(see p14)
.
Rouen Faïence
Faïence
(earthenware with a
white tin glaze that
can then be decorated)
was introduced to Rouen
by Masséot Abaquesne in
the mid-16th century. It
flowered into a fine art,
before ceasing in the
1780s with the advent of
imported chinaware. Beautiful
examples can be seen in the
Musée de la Céramique in
Rouen
(see p22)
, and modern
copies are on sale all over town
(see p82)
.
Traditional Furniture
Highly regarded,
Norman antique furniture
is characterized by four
objects: the wardrobe
(traditionally part of a bride's
dowry), the sideboard, the
longcase clock and the box bed.
Fine 18th- and 19th-century
pieces, on display in museums
and for sale in antique s shops,
are well proportioned, elegant
and often elaborately decorated.
Rouen Faïence
earthenware
Roof Finials
In Normandy,
épis de
faitage
, often coloured and ending
either in a simple point or topped
by a bird, are much admired. Seen
to best effect on the fantastical
Wooden Toys
In Bézu-Saint-Eloi, 6 km
(4 miles) northwest of Gisors,
Ateliers Jorelle have been making
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