Black Forest - Hen and Rooster

Admittedly, the small town in the heart of the Black Forest is very pretty with its beautiful facades and alleys. But so few people know its name, many do know that it is "the town of poultry."

This is where the motif that would go around the world was created: a little black hen and her rooster on a yellow background with a green border. This was in 1898. Although intended for children, tableware adorned with this famous motif can be found on family tables and in restaurants around the world!
More than 222 years after lighting its ovens, the Zell manufacture is resisting!

Taken over ten years ago by a young entrepreneur - who has also been able to breathe new life into the Dorotheenhütte crystal factory in Wolfach, the manufacture has set out to conquer new markets and new customers. Its strong point: the constant concern for quality, the creation of a few new refined decorations and the maintenance of the pattern for which the Manufacture is famous! “Hahn und Henne, rooster and hen, is a cult motif,” says Ralf Müller. Our earthenware is microwave and dishwasher safe, the glazes are ecological. The quality depends on the raw material and we obviously keep the recipe for our mixture of clay, kaolin, feldspar and quartz sand a secret! "
During a guided tour (in French!),

you can observe the craftsmen at work, discover old machines still in use and learn all about the making of this tableware which has adapted to its time without renouncing its traditions!
The liquid clay is poured into double (made-in-place) molds (the guide will tell you why!). Each piece must then be taken by hand to remove the slightest roughness.

For the bowls, a strange machine ensures the smoothing by a multitude of small sponges. After manual application of the loops (one person can do 1,000 a day), the pieces gently air dry for at least two days before being fired at 1,080 ° C for the first time. At the end of 17 hours, the parts are painted (by hand), and dipped, one by one, in a varnish bath before going back to the oven for 19 hours of baking at 1135 ° C.
The guide explains why colors are (and stay) so vibrant, shows how each piece is controlled by hand and sound.
In a small room, the four decorative painters take turns to work live.

With a small template (also made on site), she applies the main motif before freehand painting all the decorations. “It goes relatively quickly,” explains Erika Börsig, who also helps visitors decorate their own cup or plate (against payment). "It takes about 2 minutes to decorate a bowl."
“Our painters are trained in a specialized institute, where apprentices from famous porcelain factories like Meissen also go. And they are among the first, ”rejoices Ralf Müller, who works with young designers for more contemporary motifs, likely to appeal to the new generation.

Hen and rooster now also peck on pizza plates, espresso cups and a multitude of various pots and bowls.
The factory store is a source of temptation!
The living museum traces the history of the manufacture of ceramic tableware through rare pieces. Molders explain their work.

Video: Making a plate

Video: Making a bowl

Video: Decorating a plate