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After a
brief passage in Paul BEYER’s workshop (1873-1945) in Switzerland, he fixed
his first oven in 1889 in MER (Loir et Cher). He started with a major advantage
: a diploma in chemistry which granted him a much appreciated knowledge, by Jean
CARRIES among others, who later also influenced him. As for the practical aspect
(turning and moulding) he benefited from Raphaël TESSIER’s advice
(1860-1937). In 1897, architectural ceramics, poorly present at the Universal
Exhibition of 1889, was in full development and Alexandre BIGOT turned his firm
into a joint-stock company. He moved his Parisian shop from Rue d’Assas to Rue
des Petites Ecuries and created at AULNAY near MER a factory which employed as
many as 150 people and had 10 industrial ovens. He was then the main actor of
architectural ceramics with Emile MULLER and his fame, constantly growing, led
him to work with the greatest sculptors and architects of the time, among which
H. GUIMARD, A. BOURDELLE, P. JOUVE, L. BIGAUX, G. MAUBERT, M. LAVIROTTE and many
others. His production was then extremely diversified, ranging from the unique
piece of art to the architectural element and his work was rewarded by a Grand
Prix at the Universal Exhibition of 1900. He stopped this activity in 1914 and
became a technical counsellor in ceramics industry.
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