In an era of ever-faster change, a 250th birthday really is something to celebrate. And yet for the historic family firm of Revol, longevity is the result of being firmly grounded in reality. This Drôme factory closely tied up with the story of a single family, firmly rooted in its region, wedded to its original values is embracing the future. Increasingly innovative and creative, Revol always finds the energy for ongoing renewal in its long history… Portrait of a unique factory.
SONGS OF THE EARTH
Prior to the discovery of the marriage contract of founders Pierre Revol and Madeleine Carrier, the story had it that it was their son Joseph Marie who started the firm. The lucky young man was said to have had a lightbulb moment one stormy day in 1789 after seeing thick white mud flowing through the streets of his home town, along with the rain. This chance discovery of kaolin, the basis of ceramics, was said to have led to the opening of the factory.As romanticised as it is, the story does emphasise the importance of the soil of the Drôme and its intrinsic richness – the base of the factory’s first porcelain and its main material for another 250 years of craftsmanship…
Rooted for more than two centuries in its lush, undulating landscape, Revol remains more faithful than ever to what gave it its initial impetus. And while the industry, with its ever-more refined out put and techniques,now has to source the best-quality material from oversees, it remains deeply rooted in the countryside of its native Drôme. Its buildings and equipment have of course been modernised as the industry has evolved and new techniques have come into play, yet Revol remains one of the few ceramicists in the region. A provider of jobs, founder of careers and repository of skills refined by generations of workers, the factory is tied to its region by links as strong as those of Madeleine and Pierre’s marriage.
WRINKLE
Famous from the moment it appeared on the market about 15 years ago, the ‘crumpled’ cup still has the power to impress. A cult object developed and reinvented several times, it is the result of Revol’s first foray into the world of design. The Drôme factory pulled out all the stops for this project with its play on materials.
SUCCESSION
Created by design studio Färg & Blanche and developed in partnership with Editor of Design(s) Petite Friture, this collection of plates and crockery seems to take the material to its limits. The porcelain looks as if it has been tied up with string that has left indelible imprints during the firing. The result is a unique, poetic texture in which the porcelain seems to bloom in spite of its constraints.
LA SERIE CARACTERE ET SA PÂTE NOIRE
Firstly used for the « BASALT » collection of cutting board and at the origin of the creation of the « CARACTERE » serie by Noe Duchaufour, the mass-dyed black paste is one of Revol’s major creations. Though it imitates the rough appearance of tiles traditionally used for cheese platters, it is generally better-performing: Neither porous nor crumbly, and highly resistant, non-enamelled black ceramic is a much sought after material for essential instruments always useful in kitchen or on dining tables.
Revol is now noted for its forward-thinking design and innovation demonstrates how important it is to know one’s roots in order to lead the way.
Story to be continued…
FROM ICONIC PRODUCTS TO THE GENESIS OF A BRAND
Created when two families of ceramicists came together, Revol has seen nine generations of leaders at the helm. Almost born, certainly raised, in the manufacture : Olivier Passot now embodies the destiny of Revol. As its 250th anniversary approaches, he tells its story with pride, finding in its long history the inspiration for modern production with an eye firmly on the future. According to Passot, past achievements are not an end, just experience ton inspire the future. Bearing witness to the unrivalled workmanship for which the Drôme factory has stood out for hundred years, Revol’s iconic pieces are landmarks in the indus- try. Mixing the ancestral elegance of handcrafting with the creativity of cutting-edge design, these pieces lead the way in decorative trends.
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