From a solid block of volcanic lava, Pyrolave creates custom-made pieces, entirely crafted by hand in France. With a balance of technical mastery and attention to detail, each creation expresses a rare savoir-faire, a noble material, and a contemporary vision of artisan excellence. The Pyrolave brand is recognised throughout the world by architects & interior designers, making it the premium choice for projects requiring an exceptional signature. The sheer beauty of Pyrolave, coupled with its strong technical characteristics, have earned it a place in some of the most exclusive buildings in the world.
Lava from Volvic, France
Pyrolave’s lava stone comes from our quarry in Volvic, central France. The stone is extracted from lava flows within the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional in central France, with the extraction sites upon the flow being very small. All aspects of extraction are carefully monitored by Pyrolave to ensure stringent observance of environmental controls and standards.
The randomly sized boulders of lava are lifted by crane from the flow following the natural fault lines and shrinkage cracks. The block is then sliced into scants of varying thickness by diamond-tipped saws. These rough-sized scants are then sent to the factory in Castelsarrasin, near Toulouse, for the next stage of production, the refined cutting and glazing processes.
The randomly sized boulders of lava are lifted by crane from the flow following the natural fault lines and shrinkage cracks. The block is then sliced into scants of varying thickness by diamond-tipped saws. These rough-sized scants are then sent to the factory in Castelsarrasin, near Toulouse, for the next stage of production, the refined cutting and glazing processes.
Glazing and finishing
Scants which have been rough-sized at the quarry after extraction are received at the factory in Castelsarrasin, near Toulouse, where they are shaped by CNC and water-jet cutting technology. All stone-working tasks are then completed using a combination of CNC technology and manual work. The surface is refined by filling all microscopic holes, and the stone and filler are bonded together during the first kiln firing cycle.
This initial firing creates enormous stress on the stone, enabling any failed stone to be identified and discarded. Those pieces that prove their strength and stability are then rigorously sanded and polished as smooth as glass. A glaze undercoat is then applied to the entire surface. This is left to dry naturally after which the second coating of coloured enamel is applied over the undercoat by hand.
The pieces then are returned to the computer-controlled kilns for a second and longer firing cycle at temperatures over 1000˚C. At these high temperatures, the glaze is fused to the stone. As the stone cools down, the different contracting rates cause the signature crazing to the surface. The pieces are finally grouped together for quality control inspection.
This initial firing creates enormous stress on the stone, enabling any failed stone to be identified and discarded. Those pieces that prove their strength and stability are then rigorously sanded and polished as smooth as glass. A glaze undercoat is then applied to the entire surface. This is left to dry naturally after which the second coating of coloured enamel is applied over the undercoat by hand.
The pieces then are returned to the computer-controlled kilns for a second and longer firing cycle at temperatures over 1000˚C. At these high temperatures, the glaze is fused to the stone. As the stone cools down, the different contracting rates cause the signature crazing to the surface. The pieces are finally grouped together for quality control inspection.
A unique signature
Every finished piece of Pyrolave is unique. The singular characteristics of the natural stone are amplified by the artisanal processes transforming each piece into a virtual work of art. Filament effects, grain non-uniformity, shaded edges, depressions... any of these characteristics can be present along with the distinctive crazing or crackle effect that results from cooling the enameled lava after firing it at very high temperatures. The glazes add an incomparable lustre and depth to every piece.
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Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) The Living Heritage Company (EPV) label is a mark of recognition from the French State, distinguishing French companies that implement outstanding industrial and artisanal skills. |