Pottery articles on a fountain in the Sargadelos ceramics complex. Cervo © Turespaña
The ceramics industry arose with the opening of a pottery factory in the town of Cervo (Lugo) in 1806.
The Cervo ceramics factory came into being when English pottery ceased to be imported. The first ceramics were white in colour, with a shiny cream-coloured or bluish glaze. The designs were mainly neoclassical in style, and were inspired by the British china tradition. At one time as many as 20,000 pieces a year were produced.
1835 marked the first experiments in printing and polychrome techniques. The mid 19th century saw the introduction of what was known as opaque Chinese ceramic, characterised by its superior workmanship and decorated with floral motifs, stamped with sepia and chestnut colours, and hand painted by brush. The most outstanding items are the china sets, which are among the first to feature the use of lithographic printing.
The factory went into a gradual decline from 1870 on, and closed its doors in 1875. However, the important mark it left on society led to the recovery of the ceramics legacy in the second half of the 20th century.
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