![Small brown Thoune plate Small brown Thoune plate](http://potterystudio.co.uk/pots/images/0000500/p0000727b.jpg)
Thoune, Thun, Thonne, Thuner Majolika - all the same thing; pottery from the place previously known as Heimberg in Switzerland. It is pronounced 'toon' as in Roger Rabbit.
It is attractive and highly distinctive intricately slip-decorated earthenware. The colours used are white, green, yellow, orange and blue, usually on a dark slip background which is often a deep, rich brown.
Many companies made Thoune pottery, mostly small concerns. A couple of dozen are still operating. The most sought-after artist potter is Johann Wanzenried, who was active in the nineteenth century.