Faïence << fy AHNS or fay AHNS >> is a kind of earthenware. Faïence is glazed with tin oxide to produce a creamy white color. The ware can be decorated with other metallic oxides that turn various colors when the pottery is fired (baked).
Faïence is related to two other types of earthenware, majolica and delft. But the three have different forms of decoration and assumed their styles in different countries. Faïence came from France, majolica from Italy, and delft from the Netherlands.
The French named faïence for Faenza, Italy, which was the center for the production of tin oxide-glazed pottery during the 1500’s. Today, potters in Germany, the Scandinavian countries, and Spain produce tin oxide-glazed wares known as faïence.
