Rambervillers, flammed pottery

Between 1870 and 1918, after the annexation of Metz and Strasbourg by Germany, Nancy remained the only big city in the Eastern part of France. As an economic, political and academic capital, is where was born the artistic movement called the "Ecole de Nancy" or "Art Nouveau", facilitated by the presence of rich industrialists and patrons.

In 1885, the Société Anonyme des Produits Céramiques de Jeanménil et Rambervillers (a local company making ceramics) started to produce ceramis pipes, exploiting the political will to organize and improve the municipal water supply systems.

Since 1900, Cytère developped the glaze. He discovered a process that gives enamel colourful, blue-green metallic reflections.

In 1903, he exposes 16 pieces in Nancy and before the success of its production, he takes contact with the prestigious artists of the Ecole de Nancy : Gallé, Majorelle, Grüber, Schneider, Vallin, Vautrin, Virion... A new era of prosperity begins. In the 1930s, the difficulties appear. In 1941 Cytère died, taking with him his glaze manufacturing secrets.

By installing an electric furnace in 1946, George Vasseur tries to relaunch the company. He includes research on the glaze, creates new reflections, but without sustainable success.

An Art Nouveau antiquarian passionate, Marcel Ferry, will succeed in 1974 to reproduce the famous metal reflections. He founded workshop with the help of his little daughter Julie, graduated from the prestigious ceramic school of Guebwiller (I.E.A.C., Institut Européen des Arts Céramique).