Pair of antique French tabac pots - blue & white 9¾"

Dating from the late-nineteenth to early-twentieth century, this exceptional pair of Tabac pots retain their original lids and are beautifully decorated with blue. Made by the Creil & Montereau faience, these lovely blue and white pots will complement both classic and contemporary interiors.

The Creil and Montereau faience factories have a rich history that started in the 18th and 19th centuries, respectively, in France. The factories merged in 1840 to form the Faïenceries de Creil et Montereau. Known for their high-quality earthenware, they innovated in faience production techniques and decorative styles. The Creil factory, established in 1797 by Robert Bray, was initially noted for its English stoneware style before shifting towards fine faience and porcelain. Montereau, founded in 1745, was initially known for its decorative faience. Throughout the 19th century, the combined entity was famous for its transfer-print decoration technique, which allowed for detailed and repeated patterns on their ceramics, making them very popular. This period marked a peak in their production and artistic innovation.

By the late 19th century, however, the industry faced decline due to changing tastes and the advent of new materials like metal and plastic. Creil closed in 1895 after a devastating fire, and although Montereau continued operations, it eventually shut down in 1955. Today, the legacy of Creil and Montereau is remembered for their significant contributions to French ceramic arts.