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Sylvie DIDIER 1972-1974: Beaux Arts
d’Amiens (80)
1974-1976:
c/Batchkovska-Paris (75)
1976-1977:
Beaux Arts Mâcon (71) 1977-1979:
E.N.B.A Bourges (18)
Atelier Lerat/Mohy
Juin 1979 : D.N.S.E.P Janvier à Juin 1980:
Education Nationale
* * *

We were lucky enough to complete our apprenticeship in one of the last traditional earthenware potteries in France, at Cliousclat in the Drôme (France). This gives the direction to our work today, to continue the production of these objects, whilst trying to maintain the quality and knowledge of this very specific technique. This is why we have chosen to keep working with “alquifoux” (lead sulphate), which gives the ceramics their brilliance and reveals the depth and richness
of the slip decoration.

Fired well above 1000°c,
the lead is perfectly stable and presents no problems of leaching. Other than the normal techniques used for making ceramics (throwing, modelling, firing etc…) glazed earthenware requires particular skills in sliping, slip and oxide decoration and of oxidised firing.

Our decision to set up our pottery in Burgundy, came about
through the desire to work in an area that had already a strong tradition in glazed earthenware, this is the case in our region which has for a long time produced quality tableware, water jugs and also tiles and bricks.
We aim tokeep the spirit of this tradition whilst also being inspired and guided by other French and international slipware traditions.

Glazed earthenware is
found in every museum in
France, and indeed in the
rest of Europe, and is one of the first expressions of
popular ceramics by which the potters were able to transcribe the daily life of the people of that period (middle ages). This is followed by more and more refinement right up until the 19thC, allowing an incredibly varied and lively range of expression, beforealmost completely
disappearing afterthe Second Worl War. Thanks to the work and passion of several farsighted amateurs, it has survived until this century, and has been given a renewed staus. Today we are able to take advantage of this work and hope to continue it.
We particularly wish to make objects that are used in every aspect of daily life, including the most exceptional ones.
It is essentially domestic ware to be used every daily.

François Fresnais
1976:BAC D
1977:c/Poterie Martin (07)
1978:c/Poterie Austruy(38)
1978-1980
E.N.B.A de Bourges (18)
Atelier Lerat/Mohy

* * *

Juillet 80-Décembre 83:
Apprentice at Cliousclat, Drôme, France.
Traditional glazed earthenware pottery.

Février à Août 1983
Cycle tour of Spain and North Africa, visiting potteries

Mars 1984
Set up the " Pottery at Sampigny ", constuction of first wood kiln 3m3

1993
Construction of a second wood kiln 3m3, installed gas kiln 1m3

1995
Opening of a new retail space

2005
Purchase of the watermill next to the pottery

Sylvie Didier (born in 1953) and François Fresnais (born in 1959) were trained in ceramic arts in Fine Arts Schools.
They met while working at the pottery of Cliousclat, headed by Olivier Sourdine between 1980 and 1982. François Fresnais was playing there an important role.

In 1984,
they establish their own workshop in Burgundy, about 30km North of Chalons-sur-Saône, at Samigny-lès-Marange, in an old 18th century mill nested on the slope of a wooded hill.

The Fresnais thought about the meaning of integrating, getting direct inspiration from and interpreting the ancient shapes and patterns which they know well.

Far from rigid repetition, there is in their production energy and enjoyment, that of curiosity leading to diverse results and to a burgeoning eagerness for experimentation.

Served by a great know-how (him at production, her at decoration), and sustained by their love of pottery, the Fresnais, with their constant will to bring novelty into the register of what they love, make beautiful contemporary glazed pottery, generous and alive.

Marc Pillet
in “Poteries traditionnelles en France “
Edition de la Revue de la Céramique.