Badonviller

The Badonviller tableware factory was founded in 1897 by Théophile Fenal in the village of the same name in the Lorraine region of France. Although the region lacked natural raw materials for ceramic production (such as clay or kaolin), the factory flourished thanks to the availability of wood and later coal to fire the kilns.

Badonviller quickly became an important player in the French pottery industry. The factory was known for its faience tableware with colorful decorations, including spray decoration ( spritzdekor ), floral motifs and art deco designs. Well-known decorations include Wagram , Ballon , Gabrielle and Les Roses — often executed in blue, red or sepia.

In the 1920s, the Fenal family also took over the Lunéville and Saint-Clément factories. These factories were finally merged in 1963. Production in Badonviller ceased in 1990 , but the style and designs live on through Saint-Clément and other brands within the Terre d'Est group.