Ernst Chaplet French, 1835-1909

Not only was Chaplet France’s premier studio ceramist, the example he set of personally creating a ceramic object from the conceptual phase through modeling, firing and glazing - constantly reaching for new and innovative modes of expression and technique - elevated the notion of a ceramist from artisan to Artist. While Director of Production for Haviland & Co., Chaplet expanded their focus from porcelain into stoneware production and developed the barbotine method of painting earthenware with liquid clay as well as conducted extensive research in glaze techniques. He was awarded a gold medal in 1889 at Paris’ l’Exposition Universelle for his revolutionary sang de boeuf glaze. That same year, Chaplet opened his own atelier in Choisy-le-Roi where he continued to produce avant-garde stoneware and support younger talent.