28

EXPOSITION  AT  VIENNA.

Henki-deux  Wake.
The  Mintons  also  exhibited  specimens  of  another  remarkable
form  of  decorative  wäre—imitations  of  the  celebrated  faience
of  Heuri-deux.  These  specimens  were  much  admired,  and
commanded  high  prices  from  amateur  collectors.  They  were
copies  of  famous  pieces.  Among  them  were  two  fall  saltdishes
  or  Stands,  one  of  which  was  purchased  by  a  citizen  of
Boston  and  presented  to  the  Athemeum,  where  it  can  he  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  wäre,  and  the  limited
demand  for  it.  Of  the  original  wäre,  there  are  said  to  be
only  fifty-five  pieces  known.  There  are  twenty  enumerated
in  the  list  of  photographs  of  specimens  in  the  colleetions  at
South  Kcnsington,  including  two  in  the  Louvre.  Brongniart
in  his  treatise  says  that  about  thirty-seven  were  known  in
France.*  This  wäre  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.  Au  aiguiere,  or  ewer,  belonging  to  Mr.
Magniac  was  purchased  for  £80  at  the  sale  of  M.  Odiot’s
collection  in  1842,  and  shortly  after  was  sold  for  £96,  and
has  since  been  valued  at  £2,000.  A  circular  platcau  in
the  South  Kensington  Museum,  purchased  originally  by  M.
Espoulart,  of  Maus,  for  £3  4s.,  wasbought  in  1857  for  £140.
At  the  sale  of  the  collection  of  the  Comte  de  Pourtales,  in
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  wäre.  A  Capital  tigure  is  givcn
in  Brongniart,  pl.  xxxvii.  It  Stands  a  little  overten  inches  in
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  wäre  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  tliat  time  the  most  interesting  specimens  were  in  the  possession  of  M.
Saurageot,  M.  Odiot,  M.  Preaux,  and  M.  Count  Pourtales.  The  Ceramic  Museum
at  Sevres  had  only  two.