House-shaped Box By Victor Lucas (1897 - 1958), Henriot Factory, Brittany

Manufacture Henriot, polychrome earthenware. Circa 1930.
Height : 12 cm and Width : 12, 5
Based on a house in Place au Beurre, Quimper.

Victor Lucas (1897 - 1958) born August 24, 1897 in Saint James (Manche), he grew up in Vire, where his father owned a stone-cutting business. Encouraged by his drawing teacher, he successfully took the entrance examination for the École de Céramique de Sèvres. Victor Lucas thus benefited from a highly advanced artistic training followed by top-quality technical instruction. In July 1922, he graduated as a ceramics engineer and immediately began looking for his first position.
Jules Henriot, who wanted to modernize his Manufacture d'Art Breton in Quimper, welcomed his application. The economic climate was particularly favorable, with the region's tourism boom really taking off. But this increasingly flourishing market was being contested by a rival earthenware manufacturer, Jules Verlingue, Bolloré & Cie. In this veritable economic war, known as the “Jules War”, the two factories wage an incessant battle. However, this fierce competition had some positive aspects. Firstly, competition on a technical level, which enabled Victor Lucas to modernize his production facilities. Secondly, it had a stimulating effect on the artistic level, with the inter-war period witnessing the second high point in Quimper ceramics after the success of Alfred Beau's productions and the first Breton decors of the late 19th century.