Quimper: Hand-Painted Breton Faience from France

Quimper faience is tin-glazed earthenware produced in and around the city of Quimper in Brittany, France, continuously since 1690. Distinguished by its hand-painted peasant figures in traditional Breton costume, bold floral borders, and characteristic naive painting style, Quimper pottery is one of the longest-running and most recognized regional ceramic traditions in Europe. The ware has been avidly collected in both France and America since the late 19th century.

History and Key Factories

Three principal factories dominated Quimper production, all eventually merging:

• HB (Grande Maison Henriot-Quimper): Founded 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Bousquet; the oldest and most prestigious factory. Marked "HB" or "HB Quimper."
• HR (Henriot): Established 1778; known for artistic innovation and the "Petit Breton" peasant figure. Marked "HR" or "Henriot Quimper."
• PB (Porquier-Beau): Active 1772-1904; produced the finest artistic pieces including the celebrated "decor riche" patterns. Marked "PB" or "P. Fouillen."

In 1968, HB and Henriot merged. Production continues today under the Henriot Quimper name, though pre-1960 pieces are most valued by collectors.

Identification and Marks

• Base marks: Factory initials (HB, HR, PB) usually painted by hand on the base, sometimes with "Quimper" or "Quimper France"
• Painter marks: Individual decorator initials or numbers sometimes appear near the factory mark
• Period dating: Mark style, letter form, and placement evolved over time; reference guides by Meadows and Bonnefoy are essential
• "Decor riche": An elaborate border style with interconnected scrolls and flowers; indicates higher quality and price
• Characteristic style: Figures face left or right (never straight on), with sponged trees and simple landscape elements

Types and Styles

• Petit Breton: The classic peasant man or woman in Breton dress; the signature Quimper motif
• Decor riche: Elaborate polychrome borders with Renaissance-inspired scrollwork; the most expensive style
• Broderie Bretonne: Geometric patterns mimicking Breton embroidery
• Modern/Art Deco: 1920s-30s stylized figures and geometric forms; increasingly collected
• Figurines: Molded three-dimensional Breton figures, saints, and animals
• Functional ware: Plates, bowls, pitchers, jardinières, snuff bottles, and salt cellars

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Glaze chips and flakes: Common on tin-glazed earthenware; minor rim chips are expected on older pieces but large losses reduce value
• Crazing: Fine network of lines in the glaze; typical and generally accepted on pre-1940 pieces
• Paint wear: The hand-painted decoration should be intact; rubbed or faded painting significantly diminishes value
• Cracks and repairs: Hairline cracks and glued repairs substantially lower value; check bases and handles carefully
• Staining: Knife marks and discoloration from use affect plates and bowls

Collecting Tips

• Porquier-Beau (PB) marked pieces from the 1880-1904 period are the most artistically accomplished and command the highest prices
• Decor riche borders indicate a higher grade of production and bring 2-3 times the price of standard borders
• Signed pieces by known decorators (such as A. Guillard or P. Fouillen) carry premiums
• Modern production (post-1984) is clearly marked and should not be confused with antique pieces
• American collectors drove a major price surge in the 1980s-90s; prices have since stabilized, making quality pieces available at reasonable levels
• Wall plates and chargers remain the most popular collecting format, but unusual forms like inkwells, snuff bottles, and holy water fonts are scarcer and appreciated by advanced collectors