{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O298125"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O298125/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O298125","accessionNumber":"C.48:1 to 6-2005","objectType":"Fountain part","titles":[{"title":"Henry II ware","type":"series title"}],"summaryDescription":"This fountain was reassembled in 2005 after the component  parts were acquired from several sources. It is one of the best  known examples of Minton's 'Henri Deux' ware and the largest  the factory made - for the Paris Exhibition of 1878. \r\n\r\nDuring the 1850s there was great interest in the type of French faience known as 'Henri Deux' or 'Saint Porchaire'. The intricate  decoration, combining painting and inlaid clays, was seen as a   technological challenge for Victorian ceramic firms keen to revive  traditional and 'lost' techniques. Léon Arnoux, Art  Director at  Minton's, and a designer and chemist, succeeded in reproducing  the  'Henri Deux' process in 1858. Arnoux trained the modeller  and designer Charles Toft senior, and he took over the  production of 'Henri Deux' in the 1870s. Very few pieces using  this expensive inlaid technique were made.\r\n\r\nMany nineteenth-century European designers and craftspeople  were greatly inspired by other cultures and historical periods. This ranged from exact copies of existing objects to eclectic designs catering to contemporary taste. Leading commercial  manufacturers, such as Minton's, became strongly associated  with historicist styles, producing high-quality wares for an international market.","physicalDescription":"Six pieces from Minton fountain consisting of 4 columns and two 'dishes'. In the style of French 16th century St Porchaire (Henri Deux) wares. In cream-coloured earthenware with raised decoration.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Toft, Charles (Senior)","id":"A1482"},"association":{"text":"designer and maker","id":"x34662"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Minton","id":"A9175"},"association":{"text":"manufacturer","id":"x33306"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Earthenware","id":"x29356"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Earthenware, hand-made form, overlaid with separately made decorated surface with patterning inset; raised decoration cast, applied and painted in coloured glazes","categories":[{"text":"Ceramics","id":"THES48982"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"CER","id":"THES48594"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"126","id":"THES49890"},"free":"","case":"FS","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"126","id":"THES49890"},"free":"","case":"FS","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"126","id":"THES49890"},"free":"","case":"FS","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"126","id":"THES49890"},"free":"","case":"FS","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"126","id":"THES49890"},"free":"","case":"FS","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"126","id":"THES49890"},"free":"","case":"FS","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"dish","id":"AAT42973"}],[{"text":"dish","id":"AAT42973"}],[{"text":"column","id":"AAT1571"}],[{"text":"column","id":"AAT1571"}],[{"text":"column","id":"AAT1571"}],[{"text":"column","id":"AAT1571"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Stoke-on-Trent","id":"x29185"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1877","earliest":"1877-01-01","latest":"1877-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"C.69:1-1997","id":"O305715"},"association":"Part"},{"object":{"text":"C.47-2005","id":"O120387"},"association":"Part"}],"creditLine":"Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of the Ten Ten Foundation Inc. in honour of David T. Siegel","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Before acquisition this fountain was dispersed amongst several owners. See files 2002/786, 1998/565, 1996/519.\nPart of this fountain (C.47-2005) was found in  the Minton factory museum collection and  was negotiated as a private sale before  the public sale of Minton wares offered by  Royal Doulton at Bonhams, 22/07/2002, (Lot 150). There are no original drawings or images of the fountain. See object file for C.69-1997.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Fountain parts, cream earthenware, Minton's Henry II ware by Charles Toft, Stoke-on-Trent, 1877","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"See Ceramics and Glass Collection Object Information file"}],"production":"Charles Toft, working under the direction of Lèon Arnoux at Minton; the design was probably decided by Arnoux. The detail and execution of the work is by Charles Toft.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["C.48:1-2005","C.48:2-2005","C.48:3-2005","C.48:4-2005","C.48:5-2005","C.48:6-2005"],"accessionNumberNum":"48","accessionNumberPrefix":"C","accessionYear":2005,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Dish [1]","Dish [2]","Column [1]","Column [2]","Column [3]","Column [4]"],"assets":["2014HE6572"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-15","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":false}}