Faience

/faɪˈɑːns/ noun

Definition

Colorful glazed pottery or earthenware, often decorated with bright patterns, that was especially popular in the Renaissance and Victorian periods.

Etymology

From French faïence, derived from Faenza, an Italian city famous for its pottery production. The technique became so associated with Faenza that the city's name became the term for this style of ware.

Kelly Says

Faenza, Italy was so renowned for its decorative pottery in the 1500s that French potters copied it and named it after the city—today the Italian word 'maiolica' and French word 'faience' both describe the same gorgeous glazed ceramics!

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