Presbytere Poterie

French Hand Made Tiles and Pottery

Our studio (once a cow shed) is at the back of the old presbytery in Aussat, South West France where visitors (by appointment) are most welcome. Many of the colours and designs used have been inspired by the warm hues of the surrounding French countryside and the terracotta clay we work with is very close to the colour of the local soil. Every piece of our pottery is hand-made and hand decorated.

The Tiles
Our individual tiles (standard 10cm x 10cm) are suitable for use in the kitchen, bathroom and as decorative surrounds for wood burners for example as well as for coasters or trivets. All tiles are hand rolled on a slab roller and individually cut with a tile cutter. Pieces are either decorated through slip trailing (using liquid clay) giving a raised effect or/and with glaze and on-glaze paints which provide a more detailed design. Tiles are partially or fully glazed (which darkens the colour of the clay) and provides a waterproof finish; because of their raised design however, the slip trailed tiles are not recommended for work surfaces.

Tiles can be made to order and up to 30 of the same design can be produced in one firing. Because of their standard size, the more intricate decorative tiles can be mixed with our simpler designs or standard manufactured tiles to produce a very unique effect. Please allow up to three weeks for orders.

Gifts
Wood and clay are two natural materials that work very well together. Incorporating our tiles, we produce a variety of pieces which will give your home that French country look.

La Boite de sel – (20cm x 16cm)
The French use these hanging boxes to store their salt in, but there are many other uses for this very traditionally French item - please click here.

Key & coat hook holders – (30cm x 16cm)
These are handmade and stained and feature one of our tiles - please click here.

Markets
As well as in the studio, our pottery is also on show at some of the local French craft fairs and at Mirande indoor market (Monday a.m.) and Marciac outdoor market (Wednesday a.m.)

Tile Gallery

Click on the image below for the tile gallery. If you want to know more detailed information about each tile go to The Tiles section below.

The Tiles

The following tiles are a small example of what we make and can be either fully or partially glazed according to your requirements.

Decorative tiles mixed with plain ones

Rose retro – engraved onto slip, glazed and semi glazed.
Libellules – slip trailed and fully glazed.

Soleil grande (kaki) – slip trailed, painted and fully glazed.
Soleil petite – slip trailed, painted and fully glazed.

Coeurs (kaki) – slip trailed, painted and fully glazed.
Coeurs (terracotta) – slip trailed, painted and partially glazed.

Rose classique – slip trailed, painted and fully glazed.
Rose vagabonder (large) – slip trailed, painted and partially glazed.

Circa 60’s – painted and fully glazed.
Points (two tone) – slip trailed and fully glazed.

Agrume – painted and partially glazed
Rose vagabonder (small) – slip trailed, painted and partially glazed.

Fleur de soeil – painted and fully glazed
Paquerettes – slip trailed and fully glazed

Lis (bottle green) – painted and fully glazed.
Soleil (kaki) – slip trailed, painted and fully glazed.
Fleurs – slip trailed and fully glazed.
Lis (terracotta) – slip trailed, painted and partially glazed.

Citroen vert – Hand painted fully glazed

Cerise – Slip and hand painted and fully glazed

Casserole and teapot stands- (small & large)

Boite de cafè – Lidded boxes with small tiles slip decorated

Boite de bijoux (grande) – with mirror, compartments and large tile

Boite de bijoux (petite) – with small hand decorated tile and draws

La Boite de sel – lids can either be flat or sloped.

Key holders – can be made with a tile of your choice

Coat hook holders – can be made with a tile of your choice