Quimper faience () is produced in a factory near

Quimper Quimper (, ; ; or ) is a Communes of France, commune and Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Finistère Departments of France, department of Brittany (administrative region), Brittany in northwestern France. Administration Quimper is the ...

, in

Brittany Brittany ( ) is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the north-west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica in Roman Gaul. It became an Kingdom of Brittany, independent kingdom and then a Duch ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

Faience Faience or faïence (; ) is the general English language term for fine tin-glazed pottery. The invention of a white Ceramic glaze, pottery glaze suitable for painted decoration, by the addition of an stannous oxide, oxide of tin to the Slip (c ...

operations were started by Jean-Baptiste Bousquet, a potter from

Marseille Marseille (; ; see #Name, below) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region. Situated in the ...

, in 1690 and were carried on by his descendants. One descendant, Antoine de la Hubeaudière, left his name on the business: La Grande Maison HB (H for Hubaudiere and B for Bousquet). Other companies that produced Quimper faience in the late 18th century included Porquier-Beau and Jules Henriot, later known as Henriot Faïenceries. Henriot Faïenceries merged with HB in 1968 under the name Societe des Faïenceries de Quimper, but the entity failed in 1983. The faïencerie was reopened in 1984 by an American couple, Paul and Sarah Janssens, the long-time imports of Quimper. The "Faïenceries de Quimper" were established in "Locmaria", the historical faience quarter of the city of Quimper, near the center. The Faïencerie d'Art Breton, newly created in 1994, was also established in Quimper, but outside the historical quarter "Locmaria". "Locmaria" now also houses a Quimper faience museum. The pottery's design reflects a traditional Breton influence. One design, which became typical for Quimper faience, is the "petit breton", a naive representation of Breton man and/or woman in traditional Breton costume. The "petit breton" became popular around 1870 and is still today the main design bought by tourists. Older Quimper faience items are sought after by collectors worldwide.

References

Breton art Ceramics manufacturers of France 1708 establishments in France Quimper Companies based in Brittany Faience of France French companies established in 1708 Manufacturing companies established in 1708 {{Ceramics-stub