Odetta Vases With Stylized Flower Decor - Manufacture Hb Quimper - Brittany

Manufacture HB Quimper. Polychrome stoneware, circa 1930. Height: 26 cm.

The Odetta period (1925-1936) drew its inspiration from the primitivism that infiltrated all artistic fields in the 1920s. The Celtic origins of the Bretons have always been noted in their art by decorative signs whose geometry is reminiscent of that found in African and Oceanic art. The HB house chose stoneware for Odetta, which it skillfully enamelled with dark grey and blue colours, contrasting with the softness of celadon greens, ivory whites, or the luminous brilliance of gold. To differentiate these works from classic production, they were produced from 1925 under the ODETTA brand (Ateliers de l'ODET). Many earthenware factories then resorted to using additional brands so as not to shock a conservative clientele that the novelty of abstract decorations could shock. They called on artists, some of whom were already known. Among them, we can mention Georges Brisson, Alphonse Chanteau, Louis Garin, René Olichon, Georges Renaud, Paul Fouillen, Abadie Landel... The Toulouse-based René Beauclair seems to be ODETTA's most prolific decorator. This artist was already known for wallpapers characteristic of art nouveau, for creations of jewelry, furniture, wrought iron and paintings.