236
EXPOSITION AT VIENNA.
Henri-deux Ware.
The Mintons also exhibited specimens of another remarkable form of decorative ware—imitations of the celebrated'faience of Henri-deux. These specimens were much admired, and commanded high prices from amateur collectors. They were copies of famous pieces. Among them were two tall salt- dishes or stands, one of which was purchased by a citizen of Boston and presented to the Athenæum, where it can be seen. The difficulty and expense attending the manufacture, make these objects very costly, but the price is doubtless high in proportion to the extreme rarity of the ware, and the limited demand for it. Of the original ware, there are said to be only fifty-five pieces known. There are twenty enumerated in the list of photographs of specimens in the collections at South Kensington, including two in the Louvre. Brongniart in his treatise says that about thirty-seven were known m France.* This ware has always excited great interest among collectors and connoisseurs, based upon its intrinsic beauty and novelty, and its extreme rarity. The pieces have sold for fabulous prices. An aiguière, or ewer, belonging to Mr. Magniac was purchased for £80 at the sale of M. Odiots collection in 1842, and shortly after was sold for £96, nnd has since been valued at £2,000. A circular plateau m the South Kensington Museum, purchased originally by M. Espoulart, of Mans, for £3 45., was bought in 1857 for £140- At the sale of the collection of the Comte de Pourtalès, m March, 1865, the “Bibernon” was purchased, by Mr. Malcolm, for the sum of £1,100. This Biberon is one of the best known specimens of the ware. A capital figure is given in Brongniart, pi. xxxvii. It stands a little over ten inches m height, and bears the arms of France with a coronet, and the initials and emblems of Diane de Poitiers. The ciphers and armorial bearings, which appear on so many specimens» indicate, beyond doubt, that this ware was the favorite at the brilliant court of Francis I., and Henry II. Its origin was for a time in doubt, and has been the subject of much specu-
* At that time the most interesting specimens were in the possession ° Saurageot, M. Odiot, M. Prcaux, and M. Count Pourtales. The Ceramic ]Vluse ul at Sevres had only two.