The mold

Our pieces are handmade but mass-produced, so a mold must be made from the model and sent to the factory. Once the model is completely dry, it can be molded. Once the first mold has been made, it is sent to Limoges to validate the design. Once the prototype has been validated, the Paris workshop can get down to making the matrix, also known as the « mold mother».

The matrix

The matrix, also known as the « mold mother» or « mold of the mold », is used to generate several molds, each of which has a limited lifespan (around 40 parts). It can be made of plaster or silicone. The manufacturing molds, cast in plaster from the matrix, are then used by the factory to make all our porcelain pieces.

The pouring process

The porcelain is cast in Limoges using traditional techniques. For each piece, the mould is closed and then filled to the brim with liquid porcelain. The craftsman then waits for the plaster to absorb the water from the porcelain. The mould is emptied as soon as the porcelain has reached the desired thickness: it then remains coated on the walls of the mould. Once this porcelain crust has hardened, the piece is removed from the mould, then dried completely outside the mould.

Porcelain is a so-called « memory clay », meaning that if even a light blow is dealt to it, the piece will deform during the high-temperature firing: this is why you need to be extremely careful, attentive and delicate when handling porcelain before firing, particularly at the demoulding stage.

Drying and firing

Prior to firing, the pieces are left to dry. This drying stage allows all the water in the clay to evaporate. Porcelain then requires several firings. Our pieces are fired a first time at 980°, known as the « dégourdi »firing. They may or may not then be glazed, and are then fired again at a high temperature, 1400°. It is at this temperature that the porcelain reveals its transparency, whiteness and strength. Between the first and second firings, the pieces can be enamelled: they are dipped one by one in a bath of enamel that gives the porcelain biscuit its glaze and shiny appearance. Our factory uses the dipping technique for this stage.

Enamelling

Between the first and second firings, the pieces can be enamelled: they are dipped one by one in a bath of enamel that gives the porcelain "biscuit" its glaze and shiny appearance. Our factory uses the dipping technique for this stage.