Henry II ware
Fountain Part
1877 (made)
1877 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This fountain was reassembled in 2005 after the component parts were acquired from several sources. It is one of the best known examples of Minton's 'Henri Deux' ware and the largest the factory made - for the Paris Exhibition of 1878.
During the 1850s there was great interest in the type of French faience known as 'Henri Deux' or 'Saint Porchaire'. The intricate decoration, combining painting and inlaid clays, was seen as a technological challenge for Victorian ceramic firms keen to revive traditional and 'lost' techniques. Léon Arnoux, Art Director at Minton's, and a designer and chemist, succeeded in reproducing the 'Henri Deux' process in 1858. Arnoux trained the modeller and designer Charles Toft senior, and he took over the production of 'Henri Deux' in the 1870s. Very few pieces using this expensive inlaid technique were made.
Many nineteenth-century European designers and craftspeople were greatly inspired by other cultures and historical periods. This ranged from exact copies of existing objects to eclectic designs catering to contemporary taste. Leading commercial manufacturers, such as Minton's, became strongly associated with historicist styles, producing high-quality wares for an international market.
During the 1850s there was great interest in the type of French faience known as 'Henri Deux' or 'Saint Porchaire'. The intricate decoration, combining painting and inlaid clays, was seen as a technological challenge for Victorian ceramic firms keen to revive traditional and 'lost' techniques. Léon Arnoux, Art Director at Minton's, and a designer and chemist, succeeded in reproducing the 'Henri Deux' process in 1858. Arnoux trained the modeller and designer Charles Toft senior, and he took over the production of 'Henri Deux' in the 1870s. Very few pieces using this expensive inlaid technique were made.
Many nineteenth-century European designers and craftspeople were greatly inspired by other cultures and historical periods. This ranged from exact copies of existing objects to eclectic designs catering to contemporary taste. Leading commercial manufacturers, such as Minton's, became strongly associated with historicist styles, producing high-quality wares for an international market.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Henry II ware (series title) |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, hand-made form, overlaid with separately made decorated surface with patterning inset; raised decoration cast, applied and painted in coloured glazes |
| Brief description | Fountain part in vase form, cream earthenware with raised decoration in brown, green and blue, Minton's Henry II ware by Charles Toft, Stoke-on-Trent, 1877 |
| Physical description | Part of a fountain in the form of a vase, open at top and base, in the style of French 16th century St Porchaire (Henri Deux) wares. In cream-coloured earthenware with raised decoration of snakes, swags, masks etc and patterning in brown, with some green and blue. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of the Ten Ten Foundation Inc. in honour of David T. Siegel |
| Object history | Before acquisition this fountain was dispersed amongst several owners. See files 2002/786, 1998/565, 1996/519. A highly secretive technique, Minton's copied the original 16th-century process. Part of C.69-1997 (Lot 150) was found in the Minton factory museum collection and was negotiated as a private sale before the public sale of Minton wares offered by Royal Doulton and Bonhams, 22/07/2002. There are no original drawings or images of the fountain and the precise placing of this section is uncertain. The model is matched by another 'vase-like' section already with the fountain. See object file for C.69-1997. |
| Production | Charles Toft, working under the direction of Lèon Arnoux at Minton; the design was probably decided by Arnoux. The detail and execution of the work is by Charles Toft. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This fountain was reassembled in 2005 after the component parts were acquired from several sources. It is one of the best known examples of Minton's 'Henri Deux' ware and the largest the factory made - for the Paris Exhibition of 1878. During the 1850s there was great interest in the type of French faience known as 'Henri Deux' or 'Saint Porchaire'. The intricate decoration, combining painting and inlaid clays, was seen as a technological challenge for Victorian ceramic firms keen to revive traditional and 'lost' techniques. Léon Arnoux, Art Director at Minton's, and a designer and chemist, succeeded in reproducing the 'Henri Deux' process in 1858. Arnoux trained the modeller and designer Charles Toft senior, and he took over the production of 'Henri Deux' in the 1870s. Very few pieces using this expensive inlaid technique were made. Many nineteenth-century European designers and craftspeople were greatly inspired by other cultures and historical periods. This ranged from exact copies of existing objects to eclectic designs catering to contemporary taste. Leading commercial manufacturers, such as Minton's, became strongly associated with historicist styles, producing high-quality wares for an international market. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic reference | See Ceramics and Glass Collection Object Information file |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.47-2005 |
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| Record created | January 11, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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