Description

During the 19th century, the French Renaissance ceramics now known as ‘Saint-Porchaire’ became the most enigmatic and highly collected ware. Even now, very little is known of the production sites or dates, but it is thought that they were made in the Paris region, perhaps Fontainebleu in the mid from 1520-1560. Saint-Porchaire, south east of Nantes is now considered to be an unlikely location, though the name is found in 16th century inventories as a type of fine earthenware. No kiln or waste sites have yet been excavated and the mystery continues.

French collectors were attracted to the rarity and sophisticated designs which seemed to owe little to the great Italian pottery traditions and could be regarded as French masterpieces. Fewer than 70 pieces remain and these are largely in museums having been dispersed from Rothschild, Sauvegeot and Fountaine collections during the 1860-1880’s.

The arrival at Minton of French ceramicist, Leon Arnoux, in 1858 encouraged the firm to make a small number to Henri Deux wares, based on known examples published in France in 1861. Charles Toft jointed Arnoux in 1867 and experimentation is thought to have begun to create the body material and the very complex inlaying and polishing work.

Although our example is damaged and missing parts of the handle, it is particularly interesting in the study of Minton Henri Deux wares as it is both signed by Toft and dated 1874 which helps with the timeline of this limited production.