Antique French Country Faisselles

As part of our ongoing series "The Secret Life of Antiques", today we're exploring the simple, rustic French Country pottery faisselle. Not just a culinary antique steeped in French tradition, antique French Country faisselles are one of our client's very favorite decorative accents.

The History of French Country Faisselles

The history of cheese in France can be traced back to Roman times, when cheese was made in monasteries and cheese-making cellars. The history of French faisselle cheese traces back to the Loire Valley, the name faisselle comes from the Latin and it means 'small basket." These molds are also called Moule à Fromage in French.

The French cheese is made from fresh curds that are hand ladled into the mold, which allows extra whey to drain out. It is made of several kinds of milk, cow's, goat's or sheep's milk, and has a soft tangy flavor. The molds are made of earthenware, and are charming with their rustic appearance and natural glazes.

Once a staple in French farmhouses and dairies, today we love and cherish them for their country aesthteic appeal. Faisselles in all sizes and colors are avidly collected by both antique collectors and home decorators.

How to Decorate with Faisselles

There are so many beautiful ways to decorate with and use your antique French faisselles! Here are some ideas to jump start your imagination.

Useful in Your Kitchen

Of course an instant display idea, use these rustic pottery pieces in your kitchen to display with your other French pottery pieces and rustic cutting boards. A few on an open shelf add instant French savoir faire!

Here at home I use a faisselle at the kitchen sink to hold a cube of our French soap. It helps the soap stay dry in between hand washings!

A pottery faisselle is also perfect to use as a small drainer...at times, when our little people are over, I will add olives or tomatoes for the salad in one to our table, because some of them like/hate olives and tomatoes.

Organize in the Bathroom

The bathroom is another inspired place to use a faisselle. The larger ones are a great idea for storing your collection of French cube soaps. They look charming, because those two have the same history! Or organize neccessities in an antique faisselle so that they are organized and more attractive. A soap, a wash cloth and a little scrub brush in the bathroom by the garden door is a wonderful idea, too, don't you think so?

Centerpieces for your Tables

Antique French faisselles make a wonderful container for a flowering plant, or, if you insert a glass for water, for flowers to put in the center of your table settings.

Here at home, I love using the smaller faisselles for candles, the little votive ones. The bright flickering flames peek out above the tops, and the glow espcapes from the little holes to create a wonderful cozy French ambience. Not just for table settings, a few place in the living room on your coffee table add an inviting ambience. Outdoors, marching on your patio table for an al fresco evening meal they exude French charm.

Antique pottery faisselles are pieces of French history that will bring stories, patina, texture and personality to your home. I'm always thrilled to add a few more antique pottery pieces to our collection for you at FrenchGardenHouse.

Above all, these lovely hand made pottery pieces are wonderful to display. Living with antiques is so inspiring- it conjures up the magic of a home that is a wholly original backdrop for you and the people you love.

Thank you for your visit!