Early 20th Century French Henriot Quimper Faience Liquor Barrel with Cups Set

$1,350

About

Elevate your bar with this charming antique brandy or cognac barrel from Brittany. Crafted in France circa 1910, this ceramic liquor serving set includes a storage barrel with its original wooden faucet and a ceramic cork at the top. Adding to its unique appeal, six matching shot glasses hang elegantly from the sides of the wooden stand, which adorns a wonderful patinated walnut finish. Hand-painted in a vibrant palette of white, blue, red, and yellow, the barrel features traditional Breton figures—a man and a woman—while the cups complement the design with matching accents. The bar essential is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and would make an outstanding addition to your porcelain collection as a unique accessory. Signed underfoot “Henriot Quimper” for further authentication. Quimper pottery has a long, impressive history. Tin-glazed, hand painted pottery has been made in Quimper, France since the late seventeenth century. The earliest firm, founded in 1685 by Jean Baptiste Bousquet, was known as HB Quimper. Another firm, founded in 1772 by Francois Eloury, was known as Porquier. The third firm, founded by Guillaume Dumaine in 1778, was known as HR or Henriot Quimper. All three firms made similar pottery decorated with designs of Breton peasants and maritime and flower motifs. The Eloury (Porquier) and Dumaine (Henriot) firms merged in 1913. Bousquet (HB) merged with the others in 1968. The group was sold to a United States family in 1984. More changes followed, and in 2011 Jean-Pierre Le Goff became the owner and the name was changed to Henriot-Quimper. The French firm has been called Societe Nouvelle des Faienceries de Quimper HB Henriot since March 1984. Pottery was made in Quimper when the city was part of the Roman Empire, long before tin-glazed pottery was being made. Measures: 10″ W x 6″D x 6.5″ H.

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