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.
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

63 comments:

  1. I love all those homely little witches - what a fun collection. I'll bet when you start getting ready for fall that there will some interesting vignettes.

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  2. I always enjoy seeing the Quimper pieces that you and Maggie show. Before visiting blogs I did not know what Quimper was. The pieces you pictured today are just beautiful and perfect for fall and Halloween.
    Jane

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  3. How fun! All of these plates are really great-love Halloween!

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  4. I always decorate for fall, but not Halloween. However, these plates are so darling that I could change my mind!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. Your witches are wonderful. I love these plates!

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  6. Love all these plates with such interesting witches on them. Great collection! I am about ready to bring on Fall decorations myself.

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  7. Well, now, these are the cutest homely witches I've ever seen. hahh
    LOVE the plates.
    Hope your Sunday is good..
    I have a pot of Chicken and Dumplins' on the stove, a cheesecake in the fridge and frozen rolls rising...my family is coming over for Sunday lunch..Blessed, indeed !! :)

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  8. Sarah, love this blog, I have ordered a couple plates from Judy. I've a daughter who loves Halloween so perhaps one day they will be hers.

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  9. What wonderful plates! I love the ones with the ghost border!

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  10. What wonderful plates! I love the ones with the ghost border!

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  11. I am truly amazed at your Quimper collections, Sarah. You even have witch plates. How wonderful and unique!...Christine

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  12. Loved your barnyard scene and of course Halloween and fall are one of my favorites! I "got" the line from 5 little pumpkins....my class really loves that fingerplay! My favorite stories are The little Old Lady Who wasn't Afraid of Anything and Humbug Witch! I guess I will have to do a post about good Halloween children's books!

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  13. Loved your barnyard scene and of course Halloween and fall are one of my favorites! I "got" the line from 5 little pumpkins....my class really loves that fingerplay! My favorite stories are The little Old Lady Who wasn't Afraid of Anything and Humbug Witch! I guess I will have to do a post about good Halloween children's books!

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  14. Loved your barnyard scene and of course Halloween and fall are one of my favorites! I "got" the line from 5 little pumpkins....my class really loves that fingerplay! My favorite stories are The little Old Lady Who wasn't Afraid of Anything and Humbug Witch! I guess I will have to do a post about good Halloween children's books!

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  15. Sarah,

    Well I have never seen plates like that!! How beautiful and seasonal they are..it's just amazing how many beautiful dishes are out there in the world!! Makes me want to have one of each...I laugh and tell people I'm going to have to have a "dish room". What a wonderful addition to your gorgeous collection! Love it!

    Miss Bloomers

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  16. What fun! Love all the whimsy. halloween can be such fun. I miss my kids being little. "Bring on the Grandkids!" That will be a few years looks like! Love your plates!

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  17. What a gorgeous post...lovely festive spirit...everything is dazzling..the very first photo is my fave...i adore moons...gorgeous creative post! Love it!
    Victoria~

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  18. Thanks for stopping by my blog!! This is the EARLIEST I have ever decorated for fall, but I have company coming and thought I better get a head start! Love the Quimper witch plates! I just acquired my first piece a few months ago, but I am hooked!! Happy Painting! Karen

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  19. Sarah,

    Such amazing plates. I'd never think Quimper would have witch plates. So different. So interesting.

    Thanks so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  20. Heading over there right now to check it out. Love those plates.

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  21. This post is making wish it was Autumn all over again. I am loving all of the Fall decorating that is going on in Blog land!

    Thanks for your beautiful words yesterday and thank you for your friendship. I means a lot to me.

    Blessings and best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  22. I haven't decorated for Autumn yet either, and I'm in no rush. I love summer time.

    Happy Blue Monday, Sarah! Check out my book giveaway.

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  23. Sarah,
    as you know I'll be away from home during most of October so I've started fall decorating around the Presbytere a little earlier than usual this year.
    Sorry I couldn't find you any more information about the witch plate.
    I've ordered a pair of plates from Judy D also, not for myself but for two lucky QCI members attending the meeting next month in Savannah!

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  24. These are such fun! I love Halloween and decorating for it -- your plate collection is the best!

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  25. Lucy and Maggie sure do have beautiful plates...I especially loved that first one...I dodecorate for Halloween because it's my Anniversary....this year is #40!!.....so I will stop by the shop you posted the name of...Thanks for the link!

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  26. It is still to hot in Alabama to be thinking fall... but it won't be long!

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  27. Your Quimper collection is wonderful! And, I love the witches. I'm looking forward to pulling out "fall/halloween" very soon.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  28. They are very unusual and fun Quimperware plates for Halloween, Sarah!

    Like Penny, I don't decorate that much for Halloween anymore (the neighborhood trick or treaters visit, non-the-less!), but I do like to decorate for autumn. It will be awhile before it feels fall like here.

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  29. Loved them!!! I am so ready for Halloween. It had been feeling like fall in southern California up until a few days ago. Then summer came back with a vengeance. I did start decorating my mantel for Halloween. But now I'm thinking of taking it down & waiting a week or two. But knowing me, I'll be too lazy to do so. So I will probably be sick of Halloween, by Halloween.

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  30. You have quite a collection of witches! I don't think I have any, I do have a cute witch's boot. My fall stuff is still in the attic!

    You are educating me on the Quimper.

    Katherine

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  31. Cackle, cackle, I love those witches! You have amazing collections, Sarah.
    Those witches remind me of the 3 part poem I wrote last year about 2 witches flying through Blogland. I'd better get started on the 2010 version! Watch out!

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  32. Sarah, now those are some wicked little witches! Great decor, I do love all of your awesome plates!

    Enjoy your day!

    Nancy

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  33. I just realized I don't have any witches. I must do something about that!
    Brenda

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  34. The plates are very interesting and aren't the faces cute? Thank you for coming over to say "hello" and it so nice to meet you.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  35. I love when you feature Quimper pieces! The witch plates are such fun -- and I love that first one with the gaggle of witches on their sticks. LOVE their faces!

    Haha... witches in the air. Cute!
    Cass
    PS I haven't decorated for Fall yet, but Mother Nature is doing her bit -- the leaves are already turning. Sigh.

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  36. Sarah
    This us what I miss about living in America, gorgeous plates like these and themed decorations. No country does it better. You have a great eye, these are truly special. I would love to see your house this fall, especially on Halloween!
    Best wishes and thanks for your comment!
    Jeanne:)

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  37. I just love that painting -- is that kid priceless or what? Good call on Woods' part!

    Love the plaids; they are so classic.

    Thanks for hosting.
    :-)
    Cass

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  38. Thank you for your visit! I'm looking at your beautiful pictures of the Quimper dishes. Lovely! I really did not know anything about them, but will be studying this more. Very interesting.
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  39. Sarah, what beautiful Quimper pieces (and others) you have featured! I have never seen Quimper before, until now! I love their vintage appearance! I'll be back for more visits, I'm sure! Thanks for stopping by my Fall kitchen! Becca (Adventures in Decorating)

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  40. How fun are these plates?! I am SO ready for the season of witches in the air :-)

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  41. Sarah,

    These are all darling witch and fall themed plates. I have always admired Quimper Ware and could very easily get addicted to it, like I am to transferware! lol

    Thanks for sharing all these cute pieces with us,

    Nancy

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  42. Well shoot! I already ordered one of the witch plates from B.B. What great examples you've shown! I love the one that is thought to be the H&G witch. All of these are so unique, and I really enjoyed seeing them. laurie

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  43. Wow neat! This is a really great site! I am wondering if anyone else has come across something
    similar in the past? Keep up the great work!

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  44. I think these are some of the NICEST witches I have ever seen, Sarah! I had no idea such things existed. Of course, I had never even heard of Quimper either, until I met you! LOL

    Still teaching after all these years. ;-)

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  45. I love Quimper...and I love these witches...

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  46. Thanks for stopping by today. I just pulled my fall decor out today. Ready for the change!

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  47. What a very interesting post! Love the plates, so unusual to see witches on Quimper pieces. xo Lidy

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  48. Hi Sarah,
    I always love what you share here with us. I am loving that it's starting to feel like fall in blog land! I can't wait to take my Halloween things out and savor all the old memories each one carries along with it. Have a happy weekend and thank you for your always lovely comments.
    xo~Tracie

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  49. Wow! What fabulous Quimper.. Thanks for sharing.

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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  50. Dearest Sarah!!! What a great surprise to see you come visit! Thank you! I so appreciate visitors. YOUR PLATES ARE FANTASTIC! I haven't seen this kind of pottery in years. Have a marvelous weekend and do come back again soon! Anita

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  51. Those are amazing Sarah! They are so different and so well done, thanks for sharing, I love seeing your beautiful collections!
    Cindy

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  52. I had no idea Q had witch plates. Those are amazing! What a treasure to collect! Have a wonderful weekend Sarah.

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  53. Hi Sarah! Oh, who would have thought that Quimper would have the Halloween plates! They're charming and a tad scary!! I'm sure these are quite a treasure and probably rather pricey! :)
    Be a sweetie and thanks for popping in to see me,
    Shelia ;)

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  54. that was great fun! never seen these before, perfect for setting the mood for the new season~

    boo!

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  55. What fun, Sarah! I know very little about Quimper plates, but these are definitely not what I'd have ever envisioned. Thank you for increasing our awareness of the spooky side of Quimper faience!

    Hope you have a lovely weekend!
    Warmest regards,
    Bill

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  56. You always surprise me when I come by for a visit. Just love these plates and so glad you shared them with us.
    Wow what a collection!
    Hope you are doing well!
    Not sure if I ever told you how much I love your site and the name you picked out for it.
    Love
    Maggie

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  57. Honey did you do the beautiful pillow in the post prior to this. I love this pillow
    Love
    Maggie

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  58. Hi Sarah! I would like to invite to come see my old photos of Natchez in the 1880's. Thanks!...Christine

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  59. Sarah, these Quimper pieces are awesome & what a collection.

    Have a great weekend.
    TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

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  60. W0W- those plates with the witches are just amazing. I was unaware that there were any like this style in Quimper. Wanted to thank you for your visits- you always have something sweet to say...
    ~ Sue

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.