Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Theodore-Deck Museum and the Florival countries, housed in the former Grand Deanate of Guebwiller (built in the 18th century for the canons of Murbach), exhibits the largest public collection of ceramics by Theodore Deck (1823–1901), a native of the city. This ceramicist, trained as a skillful poet before founding a Parisian manufacture, revolutionized the art of faience with innovations such as Blue Deck and collaborations with painters. His works, inspired by the Renaissance or the Orient, are accompanied by unique pieces such as a statue of Bernard Palissy. The museum also preserves two earthenware wall decorations, commissioned by local industrialists in the late 19th century.

The museum was founded in 1933, under the leadership of Charles Wetterwald, local historian and first curator. Originally housed in a school, he moved in 1953 to the Dominican Church, then in 1984 to the Grand Dean. His collections, initially centered on local history (religious art, war memories), gradually enriched with minerals, archaeology, and especially 600 Deck pieces acquired through donations (including that of the Bloch-Angly couple in 2002) and private deposits. Since 2009, the museum has been named Theodore Deck, while expanding its focus on viticulture and the regional textile industry.

The museum route is divided into four levels: the basement has lapidary remains and a mineralogic collection among the most complete in Alsace; The upper floors are home to Deck earthenware (with immersive wall decors), while the top floor evokes the 19th century local, between vineyards and factories. Labeled Musée de France, the establishment, managed by the municipality since 2016, has benefited from recent renovations to highlight this artistic, historical and scientific heritage.

The former Grand Dean, canonial residence in pink sandstone, itself embodies Guebwiller's history: linked to the abbey of Murbach, it symbolizes religious power before the Revolution. The collections reflect this duality between medieval heritage (Vierge à l'Enfant du XIIIe siècle) and industrial modernity, while the archives of the Abbey and the tools of winemakers recall the rural anchoring of the Florival valley. Temporary exhibitions on the first floor stimulate this dialogue between past and contemporary creation.

Collection

Il présente par ailleurs l'environnement, les arts, l'artisanat, l'histoire industrielle de Guebwiller et de sa proche région du Florival.

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