Memo from J-P
For this page of oldquimper.com, we give the floor to Jean-Pierre, who serves as the CFO (Chief Feline Officer) of The Meadows Collection. Appointed to that position in 2007, he has gamely agreed to attempt the daunting task of taking over the duties previously fulfilled by the late, but ever-present-in-our-hearts, Porquier-Beau...whose image continues to grace the upper left corner of this link.
Jean-Pierre is fourteen-years-old, which translates to seventy-two in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.
It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:
Greetings to all.
First a little bit about me:
Jean-Pierre is fourteen-years-old, which translates to seventy-two in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.
It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:
Greetings to all.
First a little bit about me:
I was born in Paris and am thoroughly français despite paperwork that lists me as being a chat de la fôret norvégienne (Norwegian Forest Cat). My full name is Châtelain Jean-Pierre. Châtelain because being born in 2007... December 21, 2007 to be precise...means that in accordance with French regulations, my name must begin with the letter 'c'. Those born in 2008 have names that begin with a 'd', those born in 2009 have names beginning with the letter 'e' and so on.
Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.
Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.
Every once in a while I like to put the spotlight on a specific topic…it might be an unusual example of Quimper pottery or perhaps a further look at a place or structure…something that I feel will further your enjoyment of French faïence.
And then sometimes I take this opportunity to share with you some of our adventures in Quimper...because one of the results of being so gab-smacked enamored of Quimper pottery has led to the inevitable and now we live in Quimper...right in the middle of Old Town !
I'm an indoor cat, but I do see a lot from our windows and the folks are always up for an adventure. Here's a quick rundown of what we were up to last month...it will give you a bit of a taste of the sights and sounds of living in Quimper.
As if they aren't surrounded with enough Quimper pottery walking along in the streets of Quimper...the folks came back from a trip to Morlaix with photographs of a gorgeous series of poster-size Quimper faïence tile paintings created by Jim-Eugène Sévellec.
This set of painted tiles depicts the Bay of Morlaix with the Château du Taureau in the background.
The tile panels were created during the period between 1952 to 1961, originally as part of the project to transform a former train station in central Morlaix into the town's tourist office. The tourist office has since relocated and the building is now in the process of being reborn once more as a cultural center, but the ten different tile scenes will remain on display.
The site is currently under construction and thus those that were visible had to be photographed from behind glass, but even with the reflections, Mom's phone photos should give you an idea of how wonderful they are !
The site is currently under construction and thus those that were visible had to be photographed from behind glass, but even with the reflections, Mom's phone photos should give you an idea of how wonderful they are !
The panel of painted tiles depicting an aerial view of Morlaix was the first in the series to be completed...
...as noted on the bottom right of the panel, they were fired at the Henriot pottery.
Highlights of some of the other scenes...
There's one with a lively depiction of a livestock market in the town square...
...a detail of the market scene.
Another panel captures the harvesting of one the area's famous crops---onions...
...and this one depicts the Chapel of Saint Herbot in the Monts d'Arrée.
Goes to show that just about anywhere one ventures in Brittany, there's bound to be some connection to Quimper pottery !
And there's some news on the historical building front ! In an earlier issue, I noted that the building that had formerly been the Fouillen pottery...and more recently, home to the late Maurice Fouillen...had been sold and its future was somewhat up in the air.
One of our local newspapers...Ouest France...reported that an agreement between the historical building authorities and the new owners has been reached and included renderings created by local architectural firm...L-A Architect. Plans call for the ground floor to be a restaurant...specializing in seafood as befits the building's location next to the Odet River. The upper floor will be completely renovated and converted to a boutique hotel. Imagine being able to dine or spend the night right where some amazing pieces of Quimper pottery were produced !
Here are the renderings as published in the Ouest France...
One of our local newspapers...Ouest France...reported that an agreement between the historical building authorities and the new owners has been reached and included renderings created by local architectural firm...L-A Architect. Plans call for the ground floor to be a restaurant...specializing in seafood as befits the building's location next to the Odet River. The upper floor will be completely renovated and converted to a boutique hotel. Imagine being able to dine or spend the night right where some amazing pieces of Quimper pottery were produced !
Here are the renderings as published in the Ouest France...
The caption notes that this is the view as it will appear from the Place Stivel.
The newspaper's caption on this image was incorrect...this is actually the projected view from the Odet side.
The article included this photograph of a vintage postcard showing the building as it looked before Paul Fouillen bought it in 1929. It was a restaurant then and will be once more.
Wouldn't it be special experience to have a spot of tea right where this Fouillen teapot was created ?
That's my memo for this month; I hope you enjoy my sharing our adventures in Quimper!