Pottery is undoubtedly the most ancient craft practised by man. the collection includes pieces dating from the VIIth century BC, objects from Greco-Roman ancient times, Medieval pottery as well as the art of terra cotta, which was skilfully executed during the XIXth century.

Earthenware is a clay which has been modelled and then soaked in a pewter-based enamel bath. This enamel, which makes objects waterproof, gives them a white surface on which the artist can apply coloured decoration. It appeared in the Middle East during the Middle Ages and spread throughout all of Europe in the XVth century: in Spain thanks to Spanish-Moorish artists, and in Italy, where the famous majolicas were created. France had so many enthusiasts and remarkable earthenware makers that most large French cities possessed a glazed earthenware factory in the XVIIth and XIXth century. You can admire outstanding examples from each of these factories.

Stoneware consists of clay with high silica content. This specific composition allows it to be fired at 1,520°, which is over 300° higher than earthenware. The material obtained in this manner is very compact and impermeable, while remaining opaque. This technique was perfected in China and used during Medieval times by the Germans, who had the necessary materials on had. It was not widely used in France until technical research in the XIXth century restored honour to this type of ceramics with potters such as Delaherche, Chaplet, or Decoeur, whose museum possesses high quality works.

Porcelain is obtained by a mixture of quartz, feldspar and kaolin, a clay whose special nature makes it possible to fire the paste at 1,400°. This heat provides its characteristic whiteness and translucency. Porcelain was discovered in China during the XIIth century. European countries competed in the research for highly sophisticated shapes and colours. The museum possesses an astonishing series of Chinese porcelain. You can contemplate the production of different European factories, particularly that of Limoges. The museum has the largest public collection of Limoges porcelain.

Glass is obtained from silica fusion. It is a transparent, malleable material which can be painted or engraved. It was widely used during Ancient times in Egypt and then Rome. Its production was taken up in Venice, where its new-found popularity influenced Europe. The museum's collection has a wide variety of examples of European glass from the XVIth and XIXth centuries.