Dish with wedding décor and Lorient coat of arms

Polychrome earthenware, circa 1890.

The Porquier Beau factory (1872-1905) was founded in Quimper in 1872 by the widow Porquier and painter Alfred Beau. Under this brand name, Alfred Beau created the famous earthenware designs featuring Breton scenes, studies as rigorous as they were picturesque. Also attracted by Japanese art, Alfred Beau produced a number of pieces with botanical subjects, heralding the arrival of Art Nouveau in Brittany. This factory was also characterized by great creativity and refinement in the shapes of its pieces. The already high price of this production led to the factory's closure in 1905.