Red Terre de Fer French Pitcher - St. Amand - 1890s

Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, located in northern France, has a rich history of faience (tin-glazed earthenware) production dating back to 1705. The first factory was established by Nicolas Desmoutiers, known for its colorful and blue monochrome decorations featuring floral and animal motifs. In 1735, management passed to his daughter Marie-Josèphe and her husband, Robert Flescher. Later, the Dorez family, descendants of ceramist Barthélémy Dorez, leased the company. In 1775, the factory was sold to Bécart, who closed it in 1776.

A second factory was founded in 1718 by Pierre-Joseph Fauquez, a ceramist from Tournai. Under the Fauquez family's management, the factory produced a variety of faience pieces, including those using the bianco sopra bianco technique, which involved painting white overglaze on a blue-white glaze. They also created soft-paste porcelain from 1771, with designs inspired by Chinese porcelain. Production ceased in 1794 during the French Revolution.

In 1818, Maximilien Joseph de Bettignies, also from Tournai, took over a third factory in Saint-Amand. He expanded the production to include a diverse range of artistic pieces, such as statuettes, vases, and busts, often featuring Tournai-inspired decorations like acorns, laurel, and cornflowers. Encouraged by success, de Bettignies constructed a larger factory in the hamlet of Moulin des Loups, specializing in soft-paste porcelain.

In 1896, the factories merged, and the trademark "Saint Amand et Hamage (Nord)" was established. The company expanded rapidly, employing approximately 700 people at its peak. However, by the mid-20th century, the factories gradually closed, with the last one ceasing operations in 1962.

Today, ceramics bearing the "Saint Amand et Hamage (Nord)" mark are considered antique rarities, reflecting the rich history and craftsmanship of French faience production.