19th Century French HB Quimper Faience Octagonal Wall Platter or Serving Tray

$1,600

About

Enhance a kitchen wall or breakfast room with this large hand-painted faience tray from Brittany, crafted by the famed HB Quimper manufactory. Octagonal in form, the large plate features a raised, sculpted central scene depicting a Breton woman seated beside a hearth with two children, while a dog drinks from a bowl on the tiled floor. The figures are rendered in relief, a distinctive feature seen on certain 19th-century Quimper productions, adding texture and depth to the folkloric tableau. The border is framed with a classic Quimper blue swirl motif, hand-painted in a continuous geometric pattern that balances the rustic interior scene. The piece retains its vintage wire hanger on the reverse for easy wall display. The underside is fully signed “HB Quimper,” referring to the Henriot-Bousquet (HB) mark used by one of Quimper’s principal faience factories. Quimper pottery has been produced in the town of Quimper, Brittany, since the late 17th century. By the 19th century, HB emerged as one of the region’s leading workshops, known for its hand-painted Breton figures, domestic scenes, and bold blue borders. The raised decoration on this example reflects the workshop’s interest in sculptural surfaces, a technique that distinguishes certain late-19th-century pieces. This decorative antique tray is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, with crisp relief detail and strong color throughout. Dimensions: 15″diameter x 1″H

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