These matching cider mugs are examples of the more naif side of 19th century HB production. Here are two of the earliest portraits of "le petit Breton et la petite Bretonne" surrounded by à la touche flowers, leaf decor and the traditional four-dot motif. The mugs are 4½" high and in very good condition. There are two original glaze skips and a tiny chip on the rim of the male mug, and tiny specks of unglazed clay on the rim of the female cup. Cider mugs of this vintage do not turn up very often.

All the best elements of early Porquier Beau scenes come together in this plate. It represents "La Fileuse" -- the spinner -- from the Breton town of Penhars and shows her spinning wool while she cares for her young daughter who is impatiently clutching at her skirt. While the colors of their dresses imitate each other, the coiffe and notched collar of the mother and the trimmed hat of the child emphasize the age and status of each according to the styles of their town. The house with a gently curved roof in the background is softly sketched in a manner typical of fine early pieces. The entire scene is surrounded by a two-tone acanthus border, with the arms of Brittany at the top. The plate dates from c.1875-1898. It is signed PB on the back as illustrated and is in pristine condition.              SOLD

According to the 1952 edition of the Larousse Dictionary,  this nicely proportioned  HR Quimper piece, which is 10½" high,  is called a "biberon" despite its large size. Larousse's first definition is "a vase with a spout ("bec") given to a sick person who is lying down." The small version for nursing babies is listed second. This one comes with a perfectly fitting top which may have been painted and fired separately as the colors are somewhat different. In any case, it is certain that the biberon, together with this top, has been in one family (our own) since it was bought in France over a century ago, in 1904. After all this time it has only a small chip on the spout and a few tiny bits of rim wear. As illustrated, it is signed HR Quimper below the handle.                                         SOLD

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