19th Century French Porquier-Beau Quimper Faience Tray Platter With Handles

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Description

Dress a kitchen wall, dining room, or French country vignette with this elegant hand-painted faience platter, crafted in Brittany circa … Read more Dress a kitchen wall, dining room, or French country vignette with this elegant hand-painted faience platter, crafted in Brittany circa 1895 by the celebrated Porquier-Beau workshop of Quimper. The sculptural tray features molded side handles and a wonderfully animated central scene depicting Breton villagers dancing and playing traditional instruments, all rendered in vivid polychrome tones characteristic of late-19th-century Quimper work.
The scalloped border is richly decorated with scrolling blue foliate motifs and highlighted with gilt accents, forming a striking frame around the folkloric tableau. The back bears the classic “PB” Porquier-Beau mark along with a handwritten reference to Bannalec, a commune in Finistère known for its traditional costumes, fest-noz gatherings, and historical dance culture, perfectly in keeping with the subject painted on the front.
Quimper faience, produced in Brittany since 1778, is prized worldwide for its hand-painted Breton figures and regional folk scenes. The Porquier-Beau partnership (active ca. 1875–1904) represents the artistic pinnacle of Quimper production, celebrated for its refined modeling, luminous glazes, and exceptional painterly detail. Pieces from this period are particularly collectible.
This decorative antique platter is in very good condition commensurate with age and use, preserving strong color and crisp detail throughout.
Dimensions: 17.5"W x 10.5"D x 1.5"H See less