Saturday, September 11, 2010

Soon To Be The Season For Witches In The Air



It's beginning to feel a bit like fall around Blogville. I've yet to pull out any fall decor here at HFTS, but I've noticed that others are full steam ahead for this change in season.




And Fall means it's soon 

to be the season for witches in the air.




19th Century Quimper Plate Marked HB Only
Photo Courtesy of Lucy Williams

Some may think that Quimper faience was painted only to depict the familiar Breton folk, but take a look above at this 19th century plate from HB. Not only is the shape of this plate unusual and charming, it is painted with the whimsy of a gaggle of witches on broomstick flying across the sky.



19th Century Quimper Plate Marked HB Quimper
Photo Courtesy of Lucy Williams

This plate is thought to depict the infamous witch in the story of Hansel and Gretel. I find the vivid colors and the interesting border to be perfect for the Autumn season.


19th Century French Faience Plate
Photo Courtesy of Maggie @ Normandy Life

I don't have specific information to share on this plate. It was an auction item some years ago at a French Auction.



Detail of 19th Century French Faience Plate
Photo Courtesy of Maggie @ Normandy Life

It's a perfect plate for Halloween with its flying bats, a witch on broomstick, and a winged devil.




Faïencerie d'Art Breton Witch Plates
Photo Courtesy of Brittany Byways

As you can see, witches on Quimper pottery go back to HB production at the end of the 19th century. The two charmers above are plates currently produced by Faïencerie d'Art Breton and feature witches from the era of the original HB production of these plates.



10" Faïencerie d'Art Breton Witch Plate With Ghost Border
Photo Courtesy of Brittany Byways

The plates are scalloped, and the decor is on a white background that is not as blue as it looks in these photos.


10" Faïencerie d'Art Breton Witch Plate With Jack-O-Lantern Border
Photo Courtesy of Brittany Byways

Each is pierced for hanging, but wouldn't they be fun for a special Halloween tablescape?



If you would like to add these to your own Halloween decor, they are available from Brittany Byways, an online shop offering French pottery both old and new as well as related items. Brittany Byways, the Gateway to Quimper Pottery, has been selling online since 1998, and is offering readers of HFTS a special discount of 10 euros off on the price of these plates if purchased by September 30, 2010.

Click here to go to Brittany Byways. Use the coupon code: HALLOWEEN at checkout.

I'm happy to be joining The Tablescaper for her wonderful weekly meme, Seasonal Sundays. Click here to see what The Tablescaper is sharing this Sunday and for a list of others with something to share.

Happy Fall!


With all the blue in these wonderful plates I decided to also link this post to Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally's and Tam's Three or More Tuesday @ The Gypsy's Corner. Please visit each of these ladies to see what they are sharing this week.