Yannick Fourbet is The French Potter, whose quality craftsmanship and artistry reflects his rich and varied history. After beginning his artistic career in France as an antique dealer, Yannick became an owner of a notable poterie, with his father Jean-Claude, in the historic pottery producing town of Anduze. Drawing on ancient traditions, Yannick formed his reputation as the pre-eminent potter, not only in Anduze but throughout France and beyond.
Yannick’s consummate skills and highly desirable pots led to him exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show and featuring at Maison Objet Paris. He and his works also appeared regularly at the antique markets in southern France, and his vases have been chosen to adorn many eminent French properties including Christian Dior’s Cote d’Azur home, Château de La Colle Noire and the Palace of Versailles.
ABOUT
CENTRAL OTAGO
In 2018, The French Potter moved to New Zealand, bringing his beautiful vases and artistic vision to the southern hemisphere. He settled with his family amongst the spectacularly rugged mountains of Central Otago and created his custom-built atelier amidst Domaine Rewa’s vineyard. With an offering augmented by the classic Anduze vases and photofores imported from the family-owned atelier in southern France, Yannick continues to handcraft his stunning, timeless and unique pottery for homes, country estates and businesses across the world.
THE PROCESS
Our NZ handcrafted pots are made with the ancient rope-thrown method. Ropes are wrapped around a timber frame and clay with the right consistency is 'thrown' onto the shape. As the pots dry, the rope is carefully removed leaving behind their prints on the inside. The garlands, decors and new decorative designs are all hand made before being applied to the pot, then the drying phase commences which takes up to six months.
A firing curve takes over 40 hours with various temperature ramps and holds up to 1100 degrees Celsius. The cooling period is just as critical as the heating curve and various accidents can occur. Some glazes require two firing sessions: essentially a bisque firing curve and a glaze firing curve
Due to the handcrafted nature of these products, the vagaries of clay, the firing process and even the outside temperature no two pots are exactly the same. Issues outside our control can occur which delay the circa six months process even further.
Pots can be ordered in any quantity, size and finish. They are available in a broad range of coloured glazes and with a distressed (antique) treatment if desired, Yannick's ability to create an array of unique patinas to give a weathered aspect to the pots he produces is one of the key differentiating factors of his pottery.
A firing curve takes over 40 hours with various temperature ramps and holds up to 1100 degrees Celsius. The cooling period is just as critical as the heating curve and various accidents can occur. Some glazes require two firing sessions: essentially a bisque firing curve and a glaze firing curve
Due to the handcrafted nature of these products, the vagaries of clay, the firing process and even the outside temperature no two pots are exactly the same. Issues outside our control can occur which delay the circa six months process even further.
Pots can be ordered in any quantity, size and finish. They are available in a broad range of coloured glazes and with a distressed (antique) treatment if desired, Yannick's ability to create an array of unique patinas to give a weathered aspect to the pots he produces is one of the key differentiating factors of his pottery.
“Ropes are wrapped around a timber frame and clay is ‘thrown’ onto the shape. As the pots dry, the rope is carefully removed leaving behind their indentation on the inside.”
— Yannick Fourbet
— Yannick Fourbet
COMMISSIONS
Begin your journey to crafting a bespoke collection with The French Potter.
Start with a selection from over ten different pot shapes and their various sizes.
Colour options are endless, however we have a few recommendations that have stood the test of time.
From a family crest, or simple initials as chosen by Christian Dior we have a wide variety of decors to adorn our pottery works.
We take a non refundable 50% down payment to validate your intentions and to be able to start a handcrafted product
Get in touch for bespoke commissions.
Start with a selection from over ten different pot shapes and their various sizes.
Colour options are endless, however we have a few recommendations that have stood the test of time.
From a family crest, or simple initials as chosen by Christian Dior we have a wide variety of decors to adorn our pottery works.
We take a non refundable 50% down payment to validate your intentions and to be able to start a handcrafted product
Get in touch for bespoke commissions.