Collecting Antique French Enamelware Pieces (also known as Enameled Ware or Graniteware) that are old, unusual, rare or just charming, as well as offering the best available to you, has been our passion at FrenchGardenHouse.  These highly sought after antiques served in the kitchens and households of Europe, in a gentler, more Romantic time, when even the most humble item was beautifully made.  Most of the antiques sought after by collectors today were manufactured between the late 1800's and 1940.  The amazingly vibrant colors and spectacular graphic designs, with flowers such as Roses and Pansies, Gilded Accents or Pastels such as Pink, Light Blue and Aqua are what makes the heart of collectors of Biggins, Coffeepots, Pails, Utensil Racks and everything "FRENCH" in enamelware beat faster!

PROCESS

Enamelware was made by applying a glass like finish of enamel to items of steel. Some items were made with cast iron, these pieces were extremely heavy, the burners used for gas are an example of this type of enameled ware.  Several coats were required for a quality piece.  The enamel was thick, with a glossy look and "feel". Highly skilled metal workers cut out the desired shapes, then the pieces were fired to bake the finish to the metal. The botanical and graphic designs on many of the French pieces were created by true artists, it was considered a serious art form of the day.

Characteristics Of Antique French Enamelware

1. Antique pieces are heavy and substantial.  There should be multiple coats of enamel, thick and     glossy.  Look for glaze or age cracks, and those wonderful little hairlines in the enamel called "craquelure"~ authentic pieces almost always have some of these.  These pieces were used in kitchens throughout Europe, so some wear is perfectly acceptable.  Missing pieces of enamel on the handle (where the pieces were hung on a nail, for instance) or at the edges of the lids, knobs etc. is to be expected.  Chips, if not too large, do not devalue a piece, except where the damage is on the floral or other design. For Biggins, often the filters have rust holes in them, again, this is acceptable in something of this age.

2. Many of the older pieces are clearly marked on the bottom, although just as many are not. 

3. Look for rivets as opposed to soldering.  The very early pieces often had their handles riveted on, the rivets will look like little "bumps". 

4. Colors should be exquisite and clear, pieces came in a range of Pastels such as Pink, Aqua, Light Blue, White, but also the vibrant Reds, Blues, Yellows and Oranges. Often there is heavy gilding or colored bands on the edges of these pieces.  The designs can be Victorian, Art Nouveau or Art Deco in feel.  Shading of designs was done by "aerography", an early form of air brushing technique.  Often colors on a piece will fade from color to white to color on the piece, an exquisite effect!  (see this in the large Blue Biggin shown in the picture below)
   

5. If you are lucky enough to find a piece with an original label still intact, this increases the piece's value, as it verifies autheticity

~* Types of Pieces *~

The types of Antique Pieces available are quite varied, and often amazing!  Many collectors specialize in Coffee Pots or "Biggins", a three or four part coffee pot invented by the Englishman George Biggin in the 18th century.   The earliest biggins had a handle on the filter part, such as this blue
one does. Later, the filter section was made without a handle. 
Even after a long life of usefullness, it maintains a stately appearance and adds an impressive French Flair to any collection or room!

Many other European countries manufactured lovely Enamelware also, of note are Belgium, Germany, England and Denmark.  The pieces from Poland are most often not as well made, and therefore not as highly prized by collectors.

Aside from Biggins, there were Salt Holders, Utensil Racks and Utensils for in the kitchen, pots, pans, cannister sets, Pitchers and Basins for the Boudoir, Lavabos (a basin with a water tank above it) that was traditionally placed outside the back door of a French Home.  Frequently a small chest was placed below that would hold linen toweling and soap. All sorts or containers were made, the ones for Laundry soap, "Soda" (scrubbing dishes!) and Sand(Scouring pans!) are especially fetching!

~*  USEFULLNESS TODAY & CARE *~

Enamelware is used today for display, massed together, these gorgeous pieces take on the loveliness of pieces of A*R*T!  You can, ofcourse, still use these pieces for what they were originally intended for.  Many collectors have kitchens filled with as many pieces as they can find, even the garden or terrace is hung with lavabos filled with blooming plants! 

CARE:  Hand wash your Antique Enamelware in hot soapy water.  Please avoid very hot burners, abrasive pads, scouring pads and cleaners.  With good care your lovely pieces can still serve as exquisite reminders of a more Romantic time for another 100 years!

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We hope you have found this guide helpful when selecting new treasures for your home. If you have any further questions, we would be delighted to answer them!

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