Iris Planter by the Gien Manufacture, France circa 1880

Signed on the reverse, with the making mark of the manufacture Gien

Jardiniere – Height : 36 cm (14 in.) ; Larg. : 66 x 47 cm (26 x 18,5 in.)
Stand – Height. : 101 cm (39,7 in.) ; Diam. : 60 cm (23,6 in.)
Total height : 137 cm (54 in.)

A very fine two handled flower-pot, made in cream colored background faience. With an exquisite decor of white and gold painted iris. Superb ornamentation made of springing out mask fountains and blue and green motifs.
Standing on its original natural walnut Renaissance style stand, delicately carved with large leafy volutes forming the feet and scrolls on the pierced stretcher.

Biography
In 1821, the English businessman Thomas Edme Hulm called “Hall”, who wanted to introduce fine English earthenware manufacturing techniques in France and after having sold the Montereau pottery factory run by his family since 1774, acquired in Gien, land and buildings of the former convent of the Minimes to install a new faience factory. This faiencerie was later called to worldwide fame. The company was in financial difficulties and quickly passed on ownership of the business several times during the period 1826 to 1862. A new partner, Jean-Félix Bapterosses, who recently bought the old ceramics factory of Briare, then came in 1866, bringing new capital to the manufacture. The company eventually became known as “Gien Faiencerie” in 1875 on the occasion of its transformation into a public company. Production first began with functional tableware, and then went on to make fancier dinnerware, decorative pieces and tableware emblazoned with notable families’ coats of arms, calling on the savoir-faire of talented potters. The climax of the production of faience of Gien was between 1855 and 1900 at the time of the famous Universal Exhibitions, during which they won numerous awards.