Patents

Far more than a simple workshop director, Auguste Jean distinguished himself throughout his career by a constant pursuit of technical innovation. Eager to master, perfect, and renew ceramic and glass processes, he conducted tireless experiments. As proof, he filed six invention patents between 1858 and 1889, dedicated to enamels, metallization effects, and manufacturing processes applied to ceramics and glass.

Like many of his contemporaries, his initial interest in reproducing ancient works fueled a deep exploration of techniques and materials. This quest for understanding quickly surpassed imitation to lead to a truly creative approach.

1858

First Patent

📍307, rue Saint Jacques in Paris (5th arrondissement).

While Auguste Jean was still signing as a porcelain painter, he filed his first patent: "New methods for illustrating and decorating enamels, earthenware, porcelain, or ceramography."

He drew inspiration from lithographic processes, adapting them for the application of enamels on earthenware and porcelain, using a pencil of his own design that allowed drawing directly onto the piece or onto tracing paper.

1870

2nd Patent

📍61, rue Dombasle in Paris (XV)

He filed his second patent: "A new process for cloisonné enamels applied to ceramics."

The process involves applying pre-shaped metal wires (gold, silver, copper, zinc or brass) to the ceramic before applying opaque or translucent enamels into the various cells formed on the surface. A low-fire firing then melts the enamels and fixes the wires.

1872

3rd Patent

📍61, rue Dombasle in Paris (XV)

He filed his third patent: "Application of electroplating to the decoration of all ceramic products."

Inspired by electroplating, a process borrowed from silversmithing, he achieved metallization effects on earthenware and porcelain. After a first high-temperature firing to set the enamels, the motifs were drawn using a metallic solution (copper, gold, or silver), then subjected to a second low-temperature firing to ensure adhesion. The piece was then immersed in an electroplating bath, which deposited the metal only on the previously treated parts. He thus obtained "striking nuances."

1877

4th Patent

📍61, rue Dombasle in Paris (XV)

He filed a fourth patent: "New process for giving glass metallic effects and taking under this title metallized glass".

On a rare letterhead, he describes his glass metallization process based on the addition of silver nitrate and bismuth oxide to the glass composition, proportioned according to the desired effects. After bulk melting or application of a second layer of glass, the piece is exposed to smoke to reveal the metallic effects.

1878

Lawsuit against Monot & Stumpf

📍Paris

Auguste Jean files a lawsuit against one of his competitors: Monot & Stumpf, whom he accuses of counterfeiting in the manufacture of metallized glassware. However, he loses the case, unable to prove that the technique used is identical to the one he employs and for which he filed a patent application the previous year.

1887

5th Patent

📍Paris

He filed a patent for invention: "Manufacture of a new ceramic product based on natural volcanic lava."

He describes a process for manufacturing a ceramic based on natural volcanic lava, obtained by melting a mixture of lava, kaolin, biscuit porcelain, feldspar, chalk, and granite in a mold heated to a very high temperature in a glass furnace, before cooling.

1889

6th and Final Patent

📍Vierzon

He filed a sixth patent: "To tint or metallize, in whole or in part, glass, crystal, and all things related to glassware and ceramics in general during manufacturing or once the piece is finished, using a sprayer or any other air-based blowing device."

Continuing his research on metallization, he developed a process using a sprayer or any other blowing device to metallize, tint, or jasper, using various oxides, all or part of a glass or ceramic piece.