Creil & Montereau

The Creil & Montereau faience factory was one of the most influential ceramic manufacturers in France in the 19th century. It was created from the merger of two separate factories: the Manufacture de Creil (founded in 1797) and the Faïencerie de Montereau (started in 1749).

What made this factory special was its early use of transfer printing — a technique introduced by English entrepreneurs such as Christopher Potter . This allowed detailed decors to be produced on a large scale, making possible the transition from craft to industrial production.

In 1840, the factories were merged under the direction of Louis Lebeuf and Jean-Baptiste Millet , and the name Creil et Montereau became a household name. They produced fine earthenware with historical, floral and humorous decorations, often in blue, sepia or black. Well-known collections include Japon , Flora , Cartel and the “assiettes parlantes” — plates with proverbs or satirical scenes.

The factory remained active until 1955 , and its pieces are today sought after by collectors for their nostalgic charm and decorative value.