Henry II ware
Fountain
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. There is was described as 'a fountain in Henri II., or Fayence d'Oiron, 58 inches high.
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
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
| Title | Henry II ware (series title) |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, hand-made form, overlaid with separately made decorated surface with patterning inlaid; raised decoration cast, applied and painted in coloured glazes |
| Brief description | Fountain parts, cream earthenware, Minton's Henry II ware by Charles Toft, Stoke-on-Trent, 1877 |
| Physical description | Six elements of the Minton fountain consisting of a vase-shaped top part, a pedestal-shaped stand, a bowl, an upper base part, a lower base part and brass water pipe. In the style of French 16th-century St. Porchaire (Henri Deux) wares. Cream-coloured earthenware inlaid with patterns in coloured slips and painted in colours. Grotesque masks and shells in relief. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by the American and International Friends of the Victoria and Albert Museum Inc. on behalf of the Ten Ten Foundation Inc. in honour of David T. Siegel. |
| Object history | Shown in Paris International Exhibition of 1878. Subsequently at some time at Thomas Goode's, retailer of South Audley Street, London, and presumably also (according to gummed label) with C.R.Fenton of Old Ford, London E3. Then with Jeremy Cooper, antique dealer of Copenhagen Street, London N1. Before acquisition this fountain was dispersed amongst several owners. See files 2002/786, 1998/565, 1996/519. Part of this fountain (C.47-2005) 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 at Bonhams, 22/07/2002. There are no original drawings or images of the fountain. C.69:1-1997 matches another vase-like section of the fountain C.47-2005. 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. |
| 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. There is was described as 'a fountain in Henri II., or Fayence d'Oiron, 58 inches high. 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 references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.69:1 to 6-1997 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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