Henriot (1/3)

FAIENCERIES DE QUIMPER

Hand and Spirit, A Timeless Art

Three centuries of art and history

"Le décor Champêtre"
Photo: Stéphane Cuisset
In 1690, Jean-Baptiste Bousquet settled the first workshops of earthenware in Locmaria quarters in Quimper. In 1776 and 1778, two other factories grouped together in this historic site.
These three firms produced faience independently. The artists originally painted with their fingers and only a few forms and simple floral patterns were used.
During the late 1800Õs, Breton country life inspired the potteryÕs decorations : Breton dress, headdresses (coiffes), botanical scenes.

The two major factories, ELOURY and DUMAINE, merged in the early 1900's, to form the HENRIOT factory. The BOUSQUET factory was sold to Jules Verlingue and retained the name Grande Maison HB.
In 1968, the son of Jules VERLINGUE purchased the Henriot factory and merged them under the name LES FAIENCERIES DE QUIMPER. Each preserved its own forms, designs, clients and signature marks.
In 1983, bad management and French laws intervened to force bankruptcy.

"Le décor Corbeille Rose"
Photo: Stéphane Cuisset

La façade de l'usine,
à Quimper
Photo: Stéphane Cuisset
In 1984, Paul and Sarah JANSSENS, U.S. importers at the time, bought over the factory with 33 other american investors, and named it SOCIETE NOUVELLE DES FAIENCERIES DE QUIMPER. From this time, the factory is enjoying an incredible rebirth with sales exceeding production. Priority is given to investments : efficient electric kilns, machine for the finishing of plates, ...
The faiencerie de Quimper now employs 120 people. More than a quarter of all Quimper produced sells in the United States. Sixty percent is sold in Brittany and the rest goes to stores throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc.

For future product development, the factory has a grenier which houses numerous moulds and forms designed over the past three centuries, along with archives of original aquarelles, creating an endless source for new ideas.

Email: HB.Henriot@wanadoo.fr

product identity