Émile Diffloth was a French ceramist born in 1856 in Couleuvre, in the Allier region. He first trained under his father, Albert Diffloth, before continuing his studies with the sculptor and ceramist Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. His mother, Jeanne Cécile Avisse, was a music engraver, providing the young artist with a creative and culturally rich environment.

A recognized specialist in smooth ceramics—a technique celebrated for its refinement and mastery of non-craquelure glazes—Diffloth quickly established himself within the decorative arts community. A member of the Société des artistes décorateurs, he exhibited in major venues in France and across Europe, including the Musée Galliera, the Société des artistes français, Parisian galleries such as the Galerie Simonson, as well as exhibitions in Antwerp, Brussels, Liège, and St. Louis.

In 1889, Diffloth joined Kéramis, the renowned Belgian faience manufacturer owned by Boch Frères, where he worked for over twenty years. This period, which ended in 1910, marked one of the highlights of his career: he developed refined decorative pieces and contributed to the artistic reputation of the manufacture. He is also credited with the mural decoration of the palace of the Count of Flanders in Brussels, a testament to his skill in large-scale work.

After 1910, Émile Diffloth crossed the Atlantic to join his friend and colleague Taxile Doat in University City, Missouri. Invited to teach ceramic techniques, he became a professor at the University of Saint Louis, helping to disseminate French expertise in the United States and leaving a lasting impact on the American ceramic scene.

He passed away in 1933 in Créteil, in the Val-de-Marne region, leaving behind a rich body of work at the crossroads of French artisanal tradition and international decorative innovation. Today, his creations remain sought after for their elegance and technical mastery.