FAIENCE, an old French term under which were comprised all descriptions of glazed earthenware, even inclusive of porcelain. The word is still employed in this sense, and corresponds in its general use to the English word crockery. The name is commonly supposed to be derived from Faenza; but it may well be doubted whether upon any authority much to be relied on, since neither historians nor topographers seem to have considered the matter worthy of their attention or examination. (Marryat on Pottery, p. 244.)