Hand-Painted Quimper Faience Vase by Paul Fouillen c.1950 - 10¾"

A spirited piece of mid-twentieth-century French folk art, this hand-painted ceramic vase from Quimper, Brittany, dates to the 1950s and bears the signature of Fouillen, one of the most celebrated names in the Quimper pottery tradition. Generously rounded in form, the body rises into an exuberant crown of sculpted handles shaped like undulating petals, at once sculptural and full of personality. The decoration is entirely hand-painted on a warm cream ground, with sweeping brushstrokes in rich amber, tobacco brown, and forest green that suggest a whimsical face at the front, with stylised flowers and leaves encircling the body. 

The glaze has a pleasing depth, and light surface crazing further enhances its character, lending the piece the warmth of age. The vase is in very good condition, consistent with its years, with no visible chips or cracks.

Paul Fouillen (1899–1958) was a Breton ceramic artist active in Quimper, where he played an important role in renewing the region’s faience tradition in the 20th century. His work is known for its bold, stylised decoration, often inspired by Breton and Celtic motifs, and for moving beyond traditional Quimper designs toward more expressive, sculptural forms. Today, his work is actively collected, regularly appearing at auction and in specialist sales, and continues to be recognised in museum exhibitions dedicated to the artists of Quimper faience.