The history of the Badonviller earthenware factory begins in 1828. That year, Nicolas Fenal became the owner of an earthenware factory in Pexonne (founded in 1719). After his death in 1857, his sons and nephews took over the factory and the FF brand (Fenal Frères) was born.
One of the cousins, Théophile Fenal, after a turbulent period in Pexonne, started an earthenware factory in Badonviller in 1897, which would directly compete with his family's factory in Pexonne.
Soon after its founding, more than 300 people worked in the factory.
Actually, it is strange that a pottery factory should set up in Badonviller. After all, there are none of the necessary raw materials for making pottery: no clay, no lime, nor kaolin. Nothing, except wood to bake the pottery. Until the wood was replaced by coal.
Badonviller milk jug
Badonviller milk jug.
However, the factory has two centuries of experience in making pottery. Pottery is made all over the region: in Lunéville, Saint-Clément, Pexonne, Niderviller and Sarreguemines. Glass and crystal are also made in Baccarat, in Vallerystahl, etc. This is because the well-managed forest in Lorraine always gave a good yield for the kilns.
After Théophile's death in 1905, his son, Edouard, took over the management of the company and continued the social way of doing business. At its peak, the company employed 1,000 people.
In 1921, the Fenal family took over the earthenware factories of Lunéville and St. Clément; these factories were managed by Edouard Fenal, who left the factory in Badonviller to his son Bernard. Edouard died in 1938.
Bernard was killed in World War II and was succeeded by Gilbert, his heir.
Well-known artists such as the Mougin brothers and Géo Condé create artistic objects for the company.
In 1963, the factories of Badonviller, Lunéville and St. Clement were merged into one company.
In the 1980s, the Fenal group joined Sarreguemines (the FSDV group: Faïencerie Sarreguemines Digoin Vitry-le-François) and continued production, in collaboration with contemporary stylists such as Pierre Cazenove, Régis Dho and Paul Flickinger.
The Badonviller factories closed in 1990 and production was moved to St. Clément.
In December 2006, the Fenal group merged with the "Faïence et Cristal de France" group. This group included the factories of St. Clément, Niderviller, Vallerysthal and Portieux, all companies founded in the 18th century and with a prestigious past. This new group, "Terre d'Est", continues its production in the 21st century.
