Bavent Faience Animals
It wasn’t hard for me to fall in love with the Bavent French faience animals; they have a certain quirky charm that just speaks to you. When you look at one of these glazed terracotta creatures—maybe a sweet little bunny ( my favorite ) or a proud goose—you can feel the history of the Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent in Normandy shining through. Right now we have a lovely menagerie in the shop of these highly sought-after collector's items, a few of which are pictured below. These aren't just decorative pieces that add character to both interior and exterior spaces.; they are rustic slices of French country life, often finished in that classic faience glaze. I especially adore the ones that still have those wonderfully lifelike glass eyes. They bring such a cozy, vintage, and truly unique character to any corner of a home, and collecting them feels like gathering a little family of delightful, storied treasures.
I hope you will take a moment to view the video of the Bavent workshop where charming and distinctive pieces of glazed terracotta pottery, primarily known for their whimsical and rustic representation of domestic and farm animals are created. The Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent workshop was established in 1842, these sculptures—such as cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, pigs and geese—are characterized by their traditional faience (tin-glazed earthenware) finish, often in milky white or vibrant colors. Initially, many of these figures, especially the cats , were created to be mounted on roof tiles or finials as decorative architectural elements, sometimes intended to deter vermin, giving them an enduring connection to French folk art and country style.
