Pottery & Porcelain - Belgian

Porcelain
In Belgium, unaffected by the French Vincennes-Sèvres monopoly, the factory of Tournay was founded in 1751 by François-Joseph Péterinch, under a monopoly granted by the Empress Maria Theresa. Robert Dubois, formerly of Chantilly and Vincennes, was appointed director in 1753, and the soft paste now produced, though not free from Meissen influences, is entirely French in spirit. The shapes of useful and decorative objects are simple and restrained, in spite of the flowering of the rococo style elsewhere. Much of the Tournay porcelain is left in white; and one wonders whether this is due to a genuine preference for the appealing pureness of the glaze, as it is in Nymphenburg, or whether coloured and gilt decoration was at times suppressed, out of reverence for the French crown. There is also a group of Tournay plates and dinner service with contemporary Dutch decoration, which the factory originally sold in white. They are easily recognized by the stork mark of The Hague, applied in overglaze blue. [p. 416]

Faïence
Faïence has been made in Belgium from the sixteenth century onwards, at various places, including Antwerp, Liège, Tournay, and Brussels.

It is not widely known or collected, but the work of Corneille Mombaer's factory, founded in 1705, is of some interest and distinction.

No mark was used - but a rather streaky glaze, and the bold blue, green, and yellow colouring is distinctive. A few examples are signed and dated.

The most attractive pieces are tureens in the form of vegetables, fruits, birds, and fishes. Dishes with fruit modelled in the round and various figures were also made. Work continued here into the nineteenth century. [p. 416]

[L. G. G. Ramsey, F.S.A., ed. The Complete Color Encyclopedia of Antiques. Preface by Bevis Hillier, Editor of The Connoisseur. Compiled by The Connoisseur, London. New York: Hawthorn Books, Inc. 1962. Revised and Expanded Edition.]

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