Clock and garniture set (3) - Faïencerie Artistique de Quaregnon - Hubert Bequet - Mid-century modern Porcelain - 1950-1960

Porcelain mantel clock with 2 matching candlesticks by Hubert Bequet, made between 1950 and 1965 at the Faïencerie Artistique de Quaregnon, Belgium.

All pottery from this factory is hand-painted. The pearl‑like glaze provides the iridescent sheen. The seagull was Hubert Bequet's favorite design.

The porcelain housing houses a clock insert with the inscription 'West Germany' on the dial. Bequet imported these clock inserts, which at the time were commonly produced by German clock companies such as Junghans, Kienzle and Hermle. The insert clock does not work.

Apart from the insert clock, this set is in very good condition for its age and is free of chips and cracks. The photos are part of the condition and the description. Your purchase will be carefully packed and shipped insured.

The life of this very talented ceramicist ended sadly. A brief history as a tribute:
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Hubert Bequet (1912-1997) started as an apprentice at the Faïencerie de Wasmuël at age 14. In the evenings he studied to become a designer and ceramic painter. After obtaining his diploma, at the age of 22, he opened his own studio in his birthplace Quaregnon.
Bequet was widely acclaimed for his talents as a designer–decorator and for his gentle character and was regarded by his staff as an excellent employer.
In the late 1950s, Bequet's ceramics were exported across Europe. In the 1960s there were 150 employees. Unfortunately, due to rising competition in the 1970s, the business declined and eventually closed in 1982.
From bankruptcy, JEMA Holland bought the company's inventory and also secured catalogs, recipe books, and molds.
Hubert Bequet was devastated by this.

But the blood tends to rise where it must, and so he began again.
In 1983, at age 71, he opened 'La Faïencerie du Borinage', a small atelier built on top of a mine waste heap. There he produced only for local customers, but sales barely covered living costs. Just over a year later he had to close the workshop.
Hubert Bequet remained living on the mine waste heap in a simple caravan and died there after 10 years of bitter poverty and loneliness.
»