Henriot Quimper Inkwell

This early 20^th century French faience inkwell showcases the iconic artistry of the Henriot Quimper pottery. This inkwell is a “Decor Riche” piece, characterized by its vibrant, entirely hand-painted ornamentation and historical “Mistral Blue” palette.

Design and Artistry

The centerpiece of this inkwell features a classic Bretonne figure, a seated woman dressed in traditional regional attire, holding a small basket of berries. She is set against a stylized pastoral landscape of rolling green hills and blue mountains.

The reverse and sides are adorned with bold, hand-painted floral garlands, including a large, multi-petaled orange flower flanked by delicate blue blossoms and verdant green leaves. The inkwell is permanently attached to its original base, which features a dramatic scalloped edge finished in a mottled, sponged blue trim—a hallmark of the Mistral pattern.

Construction and Components

• The Lid: The matching domed lid is finished with a hand-painted blue finial and ringed with orange and blue banding to match the main body.
• Internal Ink Pot: Beneath the lid, the piece retains its original recessed inkwell.
• The Faience: The glaze is a creamy off-white with a soft, translucent quality that allows the character of the clay to subtly peek through.

Historical Markings and Provenance

The underside of the base is fully hand-signed with the “HenRiot QUIMPER FRANCE” mark. The specific capitalization of the “R” in Henriot is a documented factory mark used between 1922 and 1925.

Consistent with pieces from this era intended for export, the unglazed foot rim displays the characteristic pink-hued clay. This coloration, combined with the “73” artist or pattern mark, confirms its origin from the early Henriot period when production techniques resulted in this distinct, sought-after warmth in the ceramic body.

Summary of Details

• Manufacturer: Henriot Quimper
• Origin: Quimper, Brittany, France
• Circa: 1922–1925
• Material: Hand-painted Faience (Earthenware)
• Pattern: Mistral Blue / Decor Riche
• Features: Attached scalloped base, seated Breton woman motif, original lid.

History

The history of Henriot Quimper is a central chapter in the 300-year legacy of French faience (tin-glazed earthenware). Based in the Locmaria district of Quimper, Brittany, the factory evolved from a utilitarian pottery into a world-renowned producer of hand-painted folk art.

Founding and Early Roots (1770s – 1880s)

The origins of the Henriot factory trace back to Guillaume Dumaine, a former employee of the “Grande Maison” (the original Quimper factory founded by Jean-Baptiste Bousquet). In 1778, Dumaine established his own workshop in Quimperlé before relocating to the Locmaria district of Quimper in 1789.

For nearly a century, the factory specialized in stoneware (grès) and utilitarian items like salt tubs and tobacco pipes. It wasn’t until the late 19th century, under the leadership of Jules Henriot, that the factory shifted its focus to the decorative styles that would make it famous.

The Golden Age and the “Petit Breton” (1880s – 1920s)

In 1884, Jules Henriot expanded production to include the “Petit Breton” designs—scenes of local peasants in traditional regional dress. This style capitalized on the growing tourism in Brittany as the railroads brought visitors from Paris to the seaside.

• The HR Mark: Early decorative pieces were often marked with “HR” (representing Henriot and his wife, Riou).
• Expansion through Acquisition: In 1913, Henriot purchased the Porquier factory, acquiring their famous molds and designs created by artist Alfred Beau. This move solidified Henriot’s position as a major artistic force in French ceramics.

The Signature Shift (1922)

A significant turning point for the factory occurred in 1922 following a legal dispute with the rival “HB” factory (Hubaudière-Bousquet). HB argued that the “HR” mark was too similar to their own. Henriot lost the case and began signing pieces with the full name “HenRiot Quimper France”.

• The specific capitalization and the appearance of pink-hued clay (seen on the bottom ring of this piece) are hallmark characteristics of this 1920s era, particularly for items intended for export to the United States.

Competition and Merger (1920s – 1968)

The period between World War I and World War II was the most prolific for Henriot. The factory collaborated with prominent artists like Mathurin Méheut and Jim Sévellec, blending traditional folk motifs with Art Deco influences.

However, intense competition with the HB factory eventually took a toll. In 1968, facing financial difficulties, the Henriot factory merged with its long-time rival, HB, to form Les Faïenceries de Quimper.

Modern Era: HB-Henriot

The merged company underwent several ownership changes:

• 1984: American investors led by Paul Janssens purchased the company, renaming it “The New Quimper Faience” and reviving the brand for the international market.
• 2003: The factory returned to French ownership under Pierre Chiron.
• 2011 – Present: Jean-Pierre Le Goff acquired the firm, which continues to operate today as HB-Henriot, maintaining the tradition of entirely hand-made and hand-painted production in Quimper.

Henriot pieces from the 1922–1925 period are valued by collectors. They represent a bridge between the 19th-century traditionalism and the vibrant artistic boom of the 1920s, showcasing the distinct “brush stroke” technique (décor à la touche) that has defined Quimper pottery for centuries.