Camille Tharaud (Limoges, France 1878-1956)
French ceramist known for his porcelain works formed of melted coloured enamel, made from granite pebbles from Limousin. He studied at the Gay-Lussac high school in Limoges and in Bellac. During his studies he met Francis Chigot who influenced his choice for porcelain. Mobilized during the First World War, he was seriously injured in the head and obtained convalescent leave which he spent in Limoges. His first research directed towards coloured pastes during this convalescence led him to delve into the colouring of enamels. Instead of colouring a thin layer of paste or painting on an already hardened enamel, Tharaud succeeded in colouring the enamel in its thickness. His pieces were exhibited in Paris (Salon des artistes décorateurs, 1928-1933), at the Universal Exhibition of 1937 and even in New York (Collective exhibition of Limoges porcelain makers, 1939).