The Manufacture “Royale” of Samadet (1732 – 1830): Characterisation of a faience production

This work falls within the framework of a research programme on the production, the technological development and the dissemination of the Adour basin faiences’ (South-West of France) in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. The study reported here, focuses on the characterisation of the manufacture of Samadet production’s. It was established in 1732, following the impetus given by Charles Maurice du Bouzet (1660 -1752), marquis of Roquepine, Baron of Samadet, on his lands of Chalosse (Landes). This was possible as the work of “faiencier” was considered as noble and so don’t lead to “derogeance”. The manufacture acquired the title of “Manufacture Royale” and many privileges in 1732. The production endured until the 1830’s and reach its peak in the second part of the 18th century. These faiences are part of a research collaboration with the departmental museum of Samadet, with a view to regain the know-how of the manufacture lost in the secrets of the craftsman, and to solve the problem of attribution based until then on aesthetics specifications. In order to determine the characteristics peculiar to this production 28 fragments coming from excavation of the manufacture, were observed and analysed. The bulk chemical compositions of the glazes and the decorations were, among other characteristics (like homogeneity, thickness…), were determined by scanning electron microscopy X (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-Ray spectrometry (EDS). The analyses were conduced directly on sample surfaces (Low Vacuum) like on sections (High Vacuum). The biscuit ware was analysed on powder by SEM-EDS, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) for the chemical composition and by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for the crystallography composition. The analyses suggest the use of a same glazing mixture. Tin-opacified lead glazes were decorated with cobalt for blue, lead antimonate (also known as Naples yellow) for yellow, manganese for purple and a mixture of cobalt and lead-antimonate for green. All these results contribute to the elaboration of an “identity card” for those faiences and give first results on their manufacture. In parallel, a methodological research is carried out on the non destructive and non invasive analyses, so that the identification of the production can be proceeded on pieces. The Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (PXRF) was applied on the same samples (on surface) analysed by SEM-EDS. This methodology would be helpful to discern the production of the different manufactures present in the Adour basin, in the same time, like those of Saint-Vincent de Xaintes (Dax) and Saint-Esprit (Bayonne). An other aspect of the research project is the study of the manufacture and production with an economical and historical point of view (in particular with the work on archives). This would aim to understand and determine the works and the stakes of the establishment and development of this manufacture from the 18th century to the Industrial Revolution.