12 Plates In Soft Porcelain From Tournai, 18th Century, Decorated With A Fly And 3 Bells

Set of 12 soft porcelain plates from Tournai, 18th century Famous decoration with a fly and 3 bells in blue Central decoration with 4 bouquets on the rim Edges highlighted with a cobalt blue braid On the back different brush letters on some plates Very good used condition: tiny small chips restored on 3 plates (last photo) Set composed of: 8 flat plates d: 23.6 cm 4 dessert plates d: 20.5 cm For information: In November 1750, the Lillois FJ Peterinck sent a request to the governor of the Netherlands, Charles of Lorraine, who was to be able to establish a porcelain factory in Tournai under his protection. This request was granted, thus giving birth to Tournai porcelain, remarkable for its quality and quantity produced over time. He bought the factory of François Carpentier, which he had just installed on the Quai des Salines. This porcelain was intended for all levels of life. Thanks to the so-called "blue camaieu" porcelain, Tournai creates many luxury pieces that are just as good as the finest European productions. Pieces of this porcelain are preserved in particular at the Museum of History and Decorative Arts in Tournai. The first materials used were grand feu enamels, such as cobalt oxides (blue) or manganese oxides (brown) and the rust color, called "iron red". They are fired at around 1,100 °C. The primary elements of the composition of the Tournai paste, clay, marl and chalk, once washed and dried, rested for six months, then were mixed with the previously fired and ground frit. Then poured into vats filled with water and ground again. This muddy liquid was then subjected to evaporation in dryers. Two processes were used: molding for flat pieces, which consisted of applying, using a damp sponge, a crust of paste of equal thickness on a ticking on the plaster mold, and casting for hollow pieces, which Tournai was the first to use on the continent. Casting was done by quickly pouring the slip (paste added to water to form a thick liquid), in a continuous and regular jet so that it remained homogeneous. Imperfections were then touched up. The patterns softened the grooves and the gadroons, which could be obtained by molding, were applied after the fact. Accessories such as feet, handles, ornaments and reliefs were also molded or cast separately to then be applied to the main piece of slip. Tournai porcelain, which is a particular porcelain containing more kaolin and less flux, requires a particularly high firing temperature. The first firing is around 1,100 °C. It gives the biscuit which may have been previously decorated with high-fire dyes. The object obtained is fragile and porous. After drying, this piece is dipped in a glaze bath which, after firing between 1300 and 1400 °C, will give the porcelain its final shiny and translucent appearance. Among the high-fire dyes, we recognize iron red and especially blue cameos which required only one firing. The biscuit is then covered with a glaze requiring a second firing. The other dyes, also called muffle dyes, such as purple, were placed on the glaze after the piece had already undergone a double firing. In France, gold was reserved for the royal manufacture of Sèvres, Tournai benefited from the privilege of its use and developed a very high quality recipe.