Why In Design- Let's Talk About Quimper Pottery From France

Why In Design Column
Let Me Tell You About 
My Favorite Pottery- 
Unique French Faience, Quimper

Quimper, France

Pronounced Kem-pear, Quimper pottery is over 300 years old, and originally made in the town of Quimper which is six hours Northwest of Paris. Quimper is the Brittany region’s most traditional area with locals proudly celebrating their Celtic heritage. The village was first settled in the Roman times (AD 495), and today, it is still a beautiful rural-ish area with footbridges and rivers flowing  through the town, as well as Gothic architecture and small shops throughout the village. 

Even with its long history, the town is best known for its beautiful Quimper faïence pottery dating back to 1690. Noted for its detailed provincial designs, it was first made by Jean-Baptiste Bousquet, a ceramist who set up a pottery workshop in town. Back in the day, Bousquet was bequeathed a royal manufacturing license by King Louis XIV. Even though the area has been associated with pottery as far back as the Gallo-Roman era, Bousquet is credited with being the founder of this particular "Quimper Pottery" which is also called HB Quimper- a tin-glazed, hand-painted French faience. 

The ceramic comes in many shapes, sizes and colors, but most distinctively in a sunflower-yellow hue. The plates often depict townspeople partaking in mundane tasks such as baking and farming and I love the rustic feel, yet, somehow it holds a sophistication, and for that reason it works seamlessly in many style of homes and on many sophisticated tables. There are often distinct markings of hb quimper on the bottom showing the time of the pieces with dates and years as well.  Because each piece is handmade, there are no two exactly alike- and precisely what is special about this pottery. It's important to note, the Quimper factories at one time hosted artists in their studios and that tradition continues today with Quimper made from casts by major artists. There are many places to collect Quimper, and I'm a bit old-school because rather then buying online, I prefer to pick up pieces at local antique shows or shops where I can speak to the owners, hold the pieces and see them up-close.

Happy Nesting

XO Tamara

check out a video I took of a beautiful collection of Quimper at a

Charleston, SC antique shop this past November