Artistic Alchemy: from earth to precious object

Jean-Marie Cazaux and son Joel are fifth generation ceramacists
and potters; the transmission of knowledge and artisanal lineage
associated with their great family name, has always been a priority.

Since arriving in Negresse, the Cazaux pottery has only ever excavated
‘Basque earth’ from the local villages of Espelette and Arcangues.

After a long process of refinement, locally sourced clay becomes smooth
and supple enough to be turned by hand and slowly air-dried, before
preliminary firing in a large kiln prior to enamelling. Thereafter,
a second firing takes place at 1000 degrees centigrade, and if using
a gold or platinum finish, a third and final firing at the lower
temperature of 700 degrees centigrade. This true alchemy transforms
simple elements into precious objects – each carrying the flawless
Cazaux seal.

Jean-Marie masters turning the clay in the cloistered atmosphere of
Cazaux’s upstairs workshop; plates, cups, vases and vessels evolve,
as leaden earth becomes elastic and ‘unseen’ shapes with beautiful
curves magically appear.
His son Joel among the kilns, surrounded by preparatory sketches
in Cazaux’s downstairs workshop, incising the clay precisely before
applying the milky enamel with precious brushes... the final ravishing
colours appearing only after final firing. The elegance of absolute
simplicity: distilled and repetitively refined over many years with
modest dedication and commitment to perfection.