Ceramics, the revival of a Lorraine skill

As a traditional land for the arts of fire, Lorraine had mastered ceramics long before Art nouveau. Local manufacturers,  along with  Emile Gallé, Louis Majorelle and the Mougin brothers, perpetuated and modernised this expertise. The permanent collections display the diversity of stoneware and earthenware produced during this period.

The collection has a long history, with purchases from designers and manufacturers in Lorraine, and was expanded by the donation of Eugène Corbin's collection in 1935. Donations and acquisitions have continued to the present day.

Ceramics were used by a number of artists who teamed up with manufacturers to create decorative objects as well as functional items such as planters, lamp bases, umbrella stands, etc. Tableware was also designed, such as the Gui (Mistletoe) service, an Art nouveau icon, made by Keller et Guérinmanufacture in Lunéville in collaboration with Edmond Lachenal.

Gallé's ceramics collection includes more than 250 works. Until 1893, the artist designed earthenware pieces with a wide variety of shapes and decorations. They were highly eclectic, referring to  medieval and rococo styles, as well as ancient Egyptian and Japanese influences, before finally turning to naturalism.

The Keller et Guérin company published designs created by several artists of the École de Nancy (the Mougin brothers, Ernest Bussière, Louis Majorelle) but also developed an industrial production influenced by Art nouveau, which was less prestigious but interesting for its quality and diversity. Ernest Bussière's plant ceramics offer a whole range of pieces with original organic shapes.

The Mougin brothers are masters of ceramic techniques, using them for their own creations as well as for vases and statuettes designed by Victor Prouvé, Ernest Wittmann or Albert Finot.

Finally, the Rambervillers manufacture offers vases and utilitarian objects in flamed stoneware, decorated with naturalistic motifs, aimed at a more modest clientele.