georges briard
A while back I wrote briefly about Georges Briard, and someone commented that it was “pretty snide”, and he was totally right. I’m actually a big fan of Georges Briard designs and I think they’re stunningly beautiful, but there are two things that irritate me about them: 1) they’re sold in antique stores for ten times what you can get them for at flea markets or on ebay (um, isn’t that true of everything? Couroc?) because they’re pretty easy to find, and 2) I couldn’t find out whether Jascha Brojdo, the designer behind the Georges Briard label, ever actually changed his name and wanted to be called Georges Briard, or if people just kind of decided or assumed that was his name. Does it matter? No. Anyway, my point before was that they’re a great entry-level collectible because they are so plentiful and affordable, and paying $65 for a set of glasses usually, probably, maybe means you’re getting ripped off – although of course I recognize and appreciate his work.
What I did manage to find out about Jascha Brojdo is that he was a brilliant designer with impeccable taste, who moved to Chicago from Poland in 1937. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago where he earned his MFA, had a brief acting stint as a Polish prince, and served in World War II as a Russian interpreter. In 1947, he was discharged from the Army and started working in New York with Max Wille, whom he had met in art school. Brojdo began painting metal serving trays for sale, and evidently Wille came up with the name Georges Briard to mark commercial pieces – Brodjo was also a painter and would use his real name on his art pieces, but Georges Briard became his signature as a designer of these commercial articles, which were wildly popular and numerous. In fact, Georges Briard designs graced everything from bent glass dishes to toleware trays to towels to … basically any houseware used in kitchen, dining, or bar (and beyond). He could take inexpensive and common items and assign to them a lovely and innovative design and create something entirely new, and his name was – deservedly so – one of the most sought-after additions to a housewife’s cabinet.
There are more companies he designed for and patterns than I could go over here, but I’ll outline a few. One of the designs you’ll see often is the Ambrosia pattern (below), typically on white enamelware:
This one below is called Persian Garden, which was very similar to his Forbidden Fruit and Seascape designs:
These bent glass dishes (above) were manufactured by The Bent Glass Co., one of Brojdo and Wille’s earliest collaborations, under the name Glass Guild. They were manufactured in clear and white glass – if you ever find one in any other color, hang on to it!
The Fancy Free pattern (above) is relatively rare, and as such is more expensive. If you find something from this pattern in a thrift store, get it.
This cheese tray (below) has a tile in Sonata:
One of my greatest flea market finds ever is a metal (some might say toleware, but that’s another topic) tray in the Coq D’or pattern, for $15:
I found it at the Pasadena City College flea market, which can often be a great resource for bargains. Georges Briard trays are more often found in white, gold, or light green:
This tray (above) is a great find because it’s an early signature – the M and W above and below the Geor. Briard stands for Max Wille. If you have a Georges Briard signed piece and are curious to know the name of the pattern, let me know and I’ll see if I can identify it for you.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:33 am
I LOVE those old 50’s / 60’s tile items (ash trays. coasters. whatever)
Great blog.
http://www.yardsalebloodbath.com
February 1st, 2008 at 10:13 am
I have a hard time leaving Briard items behind when I find them, even though I don’t usually get a high price when I sell them. They are just too fun! I sold a punch bowl the other day with a great leaf and butterfly design in gold and aqua – perfectly retro!
February 16th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
So if i got a Briard bowl at the thrift store for 99 cents, its a pretty good deal? Does anyone know why the edge (whatever is painted in it) looks black, and the design in the bottom is gold yet darkened? Is this silver on it or gold? Thanks, Kay
March 13th, 2008 at 2:34 am
These pieces are beautiful! Not sure how easy it is to get hold of such items in the UK but will definately be keeping an eye out!
http://www.anneidi-design.com
March 24th, 2008 at 11:00 am
My father picked up a large tole painted tray at a flea market 20 years ago. I was cleaning out his cupboards and was about to throw it away when I thought I’d look up the name George Briard” on the net. It is now hanging in my kitchen and I love it!!!!
March 27th, 2008 at 3:31 am
I love picking up Briard. We recently accquired a set of 3 glass tables and one is marked signed Georges Briard. Has anyone ever seen anything like these?
April 9th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Hey — your commentary is pretty snide … even though you’re not the name on the bar glasses that my family has had since 1965! We still have our very glitzy and very glam cocktails in our Briard barware … and I’ve been able to track down cocktail plates on ebay 40 years later. The stuff is marvelous … and you and I both should have such staying power! By the way, I’ve seen lamps and other items with the Briard name … and given the resurgence of 60s and 70s designs by moderns like Jonathan Adler, I’d say old Georges (fictitious or not) was way ahead of his time. Love’em!
April 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
@Kay: Yes, 99 cents is a great deal! Briard’s designs were almost always painted in gold, but it’s possible yours is painted in some other material.
@Jennifer: The tables are a great find! They were manufactured in the late 60’s – some used familiar patterns like Forbidden Fruit, but mostly they were done in solid colors or geometric patterns.
@Sam: duly noted, though I never have any intention of under-appreciating a designer.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Hi
Enjoyed your “talk” on Briard. I have quite a few signed pieces but found an ashtray today that is “totally Briard” but not signed. Gold pebbly background with leaves around a square gold design in the middle. Is it possible that he didn’t sign some pieces? Pam
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Hi there…I have a large painting (unsigned) that I acquired a few years ago from an estate sale. It is painted on some sort of metallic sheet…it almost looks like it might have been a prep piece of some sort. The imagery appears to be in the Georges Briard style. Is there a chance that you could identify it as his (or not)? I realize he did product design not fine art, but the imagery seems very similar. I would be glad to send you a picture if you are interested in assisting. Thanks in advance!
June 27th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Pam & Julia – I’ve never heard of a piece of his not being signed, but anything is possible, I suppose – especially if it’s an earlier piece. Julia, I’d love to see a picture, it sounds fantastic! Send it to jessica@noaccountingfortaste.com.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I just bought a Georges Briard bar set at a thrift store consisting of a glass beaker and two glasses with the “fancy free” pattern (I believe). In addition to the hot air balloon (with a flag off each side) there is a saying which reads “The higher you go, the harder you fall”. The signature “Georges Briard” is found alongside the saying. Has anyone seen this set before? Does anyone know the approximate value? Thanks.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:24 am
I just bought a beautiful coffeepot or chocolate pot, white porcelain, 12 inches high on a metal candle warmer, along with it were 5 matching jars with lids. They are marked, Hartman Associates Inc. by Georges Briard. They all have the original paper labels. I have not been able to find any information on them.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
@Kim – I wonder if all the hot air balloons are the same, or if each glass has a different balloon. Although Fancy Free was a popular pattern in the 60’s (I’ve never seen writing on it, but it’s totally possible), Georges Briard produced a bunch of barware in the 70’s, some of which sort of riffed on earlier patterns, like Fancy Free. There was a set or two that depicted hot air balloons that was pretty similar to Fancy Free, and had the saying you mention on it. Generally it seems that words other than the signature didn’t appear until a proliferation of new (and re-purposed) designs on specifically barware from the late 1960’s onward, when things started to get pretty psychedelic.
@marion – They sound beautiful! Do they have a pattern, or are they just plain white?
July 29th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Julia – what a great painting! There’s something about it that makes me think it’s probably not Briard – even his earlier works have a certain symmetry and geometry to them, while this piece feels more free-flowing – but it is totally amazing and I covet it. Great find!
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 am
Saw your blog while looking up info on Georges. FYI: I am an “antique” dealer, although I mostly sell vintage stuff, AND for reasonable amounts. Most of the deals I get at flea markets are for Briard items which are sold by MEN who don’t care what these items are. I mostly keep the items I enjoy, and sell most large dishes and chip and dip sets for $15-20 after I’ve cleaned them (the silver overlay usually tarnishes if not cared for). Surprisingly there are not alot of Briard collectors, as at shows, I often need to explain who he was and the time period the items were made. I wish there were more, since I would like to see the trend of this style coming back! Why buy plastic serving bowls at the $ store when for a few dollars more you can have STYLE while entertaining!
August 5th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I know! I can’t imagine choosing serving pieces with zero character when Briard designs are so affordable. Was it Briard himself who once said, “It costs no more to produce a good design than a bad one”?
November 8th, 2008 at 7:52 am
hi, I have two pieces that say’s Georges Briard. One is a mosiac with small tiles in 3-4 different colors covering the rectiangle peice and two glass 1 in squares in the middle on each end. The other piece is a very thin white glass with gold trim of squares, circles, crowns and in the depths of the middle are two bundles of wheat. Both are beautiful pieces. Picked them both up at thirft stores. I too went to the internet and looked him up. After the first piece it was easy to grab the second piece. I like both pieces very much. Now that Briard is died does his pieces sell for more. What are my chances of keeping these for value wise? I guard the pieces well. When I’ve moved, the pieces always travel with me.
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
Who are you?
What is your name?
Do I know you?
I worked for Briard for 20 years…..
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:09 am
No, I’m just someone who’s crazy about design and loves his work … I know nothing more than what I read in books or on the internet.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Hello! I have 4 bar glasses w/Owls on them. They are gold-plated and signed. I have been researching them, but cannot find anything w/ thins pattern. Any idea of what the pattern may have been called? Thanks!
January 13th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Cool thread! I’ve bought & sold Briard for about 12 years now and have always liked his designs, especially his painted trays. Just picked one up at a thrift store an hour ago! Just a couple of questions. >>(some might say toleware, but that’s another topic) << What do you mean? They are tole painted trays aren’t they? Also, does Marner have any old literature or fun and interesting info about Briard? Thanks!
January 15th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Good question. Tole is one of those terms that can be difficult to nail down – tole painting, for example, often refers to a specific style of one-stroke painting where all the colors are loaded on the brush and applied to furniture or pottery in one stroke, producing leaves or flowers or birds or whatever. The term “tole painting,” however, has since come to represent any kind of decorative painting on household items, applied in any way. Similarly, “toleware” is often used to describe any decorative object made of thin metal, usually tin, that has been painted on. In other traditions, toleware is dipped in pewter and painted, or it’s made specifically from japanned iron, or it’s lacquered, or it’s both, depending on your definition of japanning. Some sources claim that nothing produced after the late 18th century actually qualifies as toleware for some reason. Anyway, I couldn’t nail down a precise definition of toleware, so I left it a little ambiguous.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Gail – I’m not sure exactly what the owls were called, but they were made after 1969 and came in all three sizes. It may have been called Sentinel, but I was unable to verify that.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Gloria – I love the mosaics! The white-tiled mosaics are somewhat more common, but the mosaics made from different colored glass are slightly more valuable. Your other piece is the Golden Harvest pattern, and is still relatively common in white, maybe $20 – $30. I’m not sure what your mosaic piece would be worth, but Briard pieces continue to be very affordable overall. I wouldn’t anticipate any significant price increase anytime soon, but I would absolutely hang on to them for many years.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Hi
This is great been trying to find more info on my crock marked Bird & Flower Crock is from the American Country Collection.
In very good condition no cracks or chips.
7″ h, base is 4 3/4″
seen here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14455952
Thanks for your help
Sue
February 1st, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Hi all,
Just wanted to chime in. Jascha was my great uncle, and as part of a class project, I’ve been writing a term paper about him. It’s very cool to see people actually talking about his work. If you like, I can send on my paper. Granted, it’s cruddy high-school level work, but to learn more about his history, there’s plenty in there. Also, you might want to check out “Designed & Signed” by Leslie Piña. It’s all about him and his work, and is the basis of much of the content in my paper.
Looks like you’ve read Piña’s book though
It’s really great to see people talking about my uncle!
Also, as a sidenote, in researching for this paper, I’ve fallen in love with his L’Oignon line. Does anyone have any pieces? I’d love to get a collection of them going.
February 10th, 2009 at 10:36 am
sue – I love your piece! I’ve never seen anything from the American Country Collection before, but they’re really beautiful.
Joey – that is so, so cool. I’d love to see the paper! I do have Piña’s book; it’s a great resource for pattern identification. I’ve never seen a L’Oignon piece in person, but I’ll let you know if I do.
Thanks for the comments!
February 25th, 2009 at 2:47 am
good morning~glad i found this thread….i picked up a piece of george briard the other day @ a flea market…i wondered if some1 could give me a price on it…it is a george briard(unsigned) double candle warmer with 2 2qt. casserole dishes that are glocked flecked all the way thru…..the dishes themselves are fireking….i looked thru all my fireking books and found the dish itself but not the warmer and dishes i would be more then happy to send a pic…this is a really nice piece and havent seen it before and wondered if someone could help me out? thanks alot hagd!
March 5th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Hi,
I love your blog and would like to introduce myself. I am an Irish interior designer and recently won “Best Newcomer” at Irelands “Interior Design 08″ I think you would really like our style and I would like to send you some images of our work. Please email me on danielle@fuseinteriors.ie if you want me to send you on some images.
Many Thanks,
Danielle
March 15th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Here’s the paper:
http://joeylange.com/the-thinker/georges-briard-jascha-brodjo/
Enjoy!
May 6th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Hello! Thanks so much for the information on this great mid-century designer. I just picked up (this morning! At a rummage sale!) a signed Georges Briard ice bucket with a 1776 theme. It’s great…the Declaration of Independence is printed as a background motif, and there are wonderful, colorful illustrated Revolutionaries standing at attention all around. Have you ever seen this pattern/theme before?
Thanks!
May 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
anyone seen a plate similar to this:
[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3516764663_971b667aa1.jpg[/img]
i believe it to be an early piece based on the signature, but there is no MW. Were all the platter and plates like this handpainted? This plate is definitely handpainted, not screened.
May 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
oops, try this:
anyone seen a plate similar to this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3516764663_971b667aa1.jpg
i believe it to be an early piece based on the signature, but there is no MW. Were all the platter and plates like this handpainted? This plate is definitely handpainted, not screened.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
<<>>
To answer your question – Jascha Brojdo was his name. Georges Briard was the label’s name. He never changed his name, and we called him Jascha. I worked for him in the early 1970’s. He was a true artist, and loved color and art. When he walked into a room, you knew he was there.
May 23rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
i just found 6 fluted and 3 tumblers,
white glass with turquoise, black and gold
“the higher you go, the harder you fall” georges briard
the tumblers have a man on a horse being held up by a hot air balloon, the fluted aperitif glasses are the same design.
i think they are gorgeous!
this ought to make you really happy, they were $0.25 each.
i probably would have paid more, gotta love recycle centres!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I have two of the above trays- They are small one is painted in green and one in gold- One is signed on the back and the front and one just on the front. I was going to sell them this weekend at a yard sale because they didn’t have the traditional signature (it has the M and W above and below) and has Geor. Briard rather than Georges Briard. I guess they were a good find and I should hold onto them…. They look exactly like the tray. Glad I checked, cause I thought they were fakes, and I am an avid collector. Mindy
June 1st, 2009 at 11:38 am
@mindy – they sound like great finds – congrats! Glad I could help
June 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I just received a beatiful set of tumblers which I believe are from the 60’s. They are a mosaic pattern with gold green and blue. Does anyone know the name of this pattern? It is stunning…
June 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Oh and the tumblers are signed Georges Briard on the side in gold. I hope someone out there knows!
June 11th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I have a Georges Briard rolled, square, black with gold leaf design leaves and bugs. Has anyone else seen this? I would like to find out more about the piece. Thank you.
June 13th, 2009 at 7:02 am
I picked up what I think may be a painted metal tray by Georges Briard (28 1/2″ x 22 1/2″). It has the early signature with the ‘M’ and ‘W’, it’s guilded with a hot air balloon in the center with a crown above it. It also has fish shaped hot air balloons on each side. I bought the tray before knowing anything about Jascha Brojdo. The consignment shop was asking $250; after reductions and my negotiations, I paid $45. Would you be able to tell me about the pattern, possible time period and what you think it may be worth? Either way, I love the tray and am so pleased to have it. I am giving it to my husband and I know he would find the additional information very interesting. I’ll send you a photo if I can figure out how to do that?!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
The Max Wille that insterests me was a seller – sometimes designer – of gift wares in the 1930s – 1940s. As a collector of hammered aluminum interested in dating the lines he handled and that bear his “MW” monograph his bio and date of death will be of considerable help to me. Please, can you assist me?
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:29 am
I found this thread while trying to learn more about Georges Briard. I have an opportunity to purchase a set of the carousel pattern. I have never heard of him before this and find his work fun and unique. Can someone tell me if $65 is a resonable price for all of this – or perhaps it’s too high or too low. Here’s what I’ve found:
Vintage 156 pc. George Briard dinner place set. The pattern is Carousel. The set consist of
17 – Dinner plates 10 1/4″
8 – Salad plates 7 1/2″
17- Bread & Butter plates 6 1/4″
15- Coffee plates
14- Coffee cups
2 – Small bowls
3 – Vegetable serving bowls 8″
14- Small glasses
13- Tall glasses
1 – Sugar bowl with cover
1- Creamer
1- Set of salt and pepper shakers
12 – Set of knives, fork and spoons
Here’s a link to the ad on craigslist:
http://madison.craigslist.org/fuo/1281124988.html
Thanks for your help!
Jody
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 am
Jody, that looks like a great deal to me!
August 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I have a signed georges briard chip and dip set. It also says Sterling in the flower design. It does tarnish but when I clean it with silver polish it looks fabulous.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:39 am
I am cleaning out a house for an elderly person and found a tall pot labeled L’Oignon by George Briard. It’s green and white, very pretty. Someone wants to buy it but no idea what it’s wprth. Anyone know?
September 15th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I have 8 tall water glasses that are frosted and the saying on them is : don’t burn your candle at both ends and is signed georges Briard. The pictures on the glasses are of a candleabra and 4 candles and below it is a clock and a pitcher on a plate. I bought these glasses at an estate sale back in the early 60’s or late 50’s for a total of 50 cents. They are trimmed at the top with gold. Can anyone tell me the value of these glasses.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
[...] think it’s fair to say his work was ubiquitous in the 50s and 60s. His graphical bird trays are [...]
September 25th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I JUST RETURNED FROM AN ESTATE SALE WHERE I BOUGHT A BRIARD LONG GOLD TIDBIT TRAY WITH WOODEN HANDLES,SIGNED. THE PATTERN IS TWO OAK? LEAVES WITH SUNBURSTS OF VARIOUS SIZES THROUGHOUT THE TRAY. I DID NOT KNOW WHO GEORGES BRIARD WAS BUT THE TRAY IS TOTALLY 50’s AND LOVELY. THOUGHT I WOULD CHECK HIM OUT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND YOUR SITE. VERY INFORMATIVE AND I WILL DEFINATELY START LOOKING FOR HIS PIECES.
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
glad I found this thread!
I just picked up a wonderful Georges Briard heavy metal roast tray(has the tree-like grooves and little reservoir for the juices) for a couple bucks( $2-4). It’s a butter yellow w/ metallic gold border, has mushrooms, slices of some sort of citrus and a hen sitting in the reservoir. Adorable! I was going to sell it on eBay but it is growing on me!…that happens way too often for this small apt to be comfortable! I can’t find this pattern anywhere for the name but it’s very cute.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
This is a fantastic website – thank you! I have a triangular turquoise and gold olive plate that I chose at a work White Elephant gift exchange. The design is brilliant and so retro. I am thrilled to learn the history of the designer.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:36 am
I’d never heard of painted metal trays by Briard before I ran across your post a while back – thanks for the info! I recently picked up a small tray (like for a dresser set) at a thrift store, in pink and gold with a lemon painted on it. Have you ever seen that design, or do you know if it might have been offered on other pieces?
Also appreciate the clarification re: Brodjo/Briard – as you probably know, the Briard mark/identity is still the subject of discussion among lots of vintage sellers, and I’ve been trying to clear that up whenever I get a chance.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
HI,
Just bought a George Briard cocktail set: two short cocktail glasses and pitcher. It is in the clear and gold style, with a large balloon in the middle -I think this is what someone calls ‘fancy free.’ The set came in the original box and hasn’t been used. There are even two thin black cocktail napkins, still in plastic sleeves. I am setting up my bar and, when I saw them at a thrift store, I thought it looked quite brilliant. I intend to use them and, honestly, within a few years I am sure I will crack or break something. But they look great and they are meant to be used! I think there’s a suggestion that this style is hard to find -is it particularly in demand?
December 12th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Took a snapshot of 5 glasses today at a thrift shop, since I liked the pattern. This conversation came up when I searched for Georges name. After reading all the posts though, it sounds like this pattern is unique. It’s clear glass with white stipe pattern with tear drop shapes at the bottom. Any idea when in his career they’re from or if they’re rarer than most?
December 12th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Eric – Are the stripes vertical? It sounds like Peacock White. There was also a Peacock Brown, but I’m not sure if it came in any other colors. It’s a barware pattern from the 1970’s. I’m also not sure about its relative rarity – I’ve never seen one, but I’ve also never actually seen a lot of the 1970’s barware. Do you remember how much they were asking?
December 13th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Yes, it was $7 for the 5 glasses. Yes, the stripes were vertical. I can see why they might call it a peacock pattern. I’ll try and remember to upload the picture to flickr or Picasa so I can post a link (I’ve been posting these comments with my phone)
Thanks for the quick post!
December 15th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I am now the proud owner of a Georges Briard frog and snail. I’ve not come across anything on the web about figures. These are both 5-6 inches tall and appear to be white glass painted (?) in metallic silver. They both have his name imprinted in the glass on the bottom and one has a little Japan sticker on the bottom. Can anyone tell me more about these?
December 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I had just purchased a coffee set – a 12″ coffee pot on a warmer stand, a creamer and a sugar bowl with lid a tongs. It has a “king crown” pattern and a signature on all pieces. I paid $15 for the set. It’s in excellent condition – no chips, no scratches and no gold paint is missing. I haven’t been able to find any info on it. Anybody?
December 17th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Ok, so I added the mystery glass with the white pattern (that I can’t find ANYwhere on the web).
You can take a look here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gpNetBBDhRiB4ui0o3nCOA?feat=directlink
Let’s see if WordPress will let me embed a pic in a comment:
From Misc
December 20th, 2009 at 7:49 am
[...] is a lovely writeup on the designer at No Accounting for Taste that pretty much says it all. Wonderful patterns, a sense of whimsy and humor, and readily [...]
December 20th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I discovered your website while doing some research on George Briard. Are you aware that he produced lamps, smoking accessories and a line of hostess serving dishes for a porcelain company named hyalyn in Hickory North Carolina in the 1960s. The lines were called Midas and Midas Gold and Silver. Many of the motifs you display on your site are incorporated into the raised gold or silver motifs applied to white, black, forest green, and blue matte porcelain. These pieces would be great compliments to your audiences collections of glass and metal wares. The hyalyn line was promoted by Max Wille.
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Hello, enjoyed your post on Georges Briard. I recently “thrifted” a dish w/ lid in the “Strawberry Denim” pattern signed by Georges Briard. I’ve search for more info on the pattern, but have not come up with anything. Would you happen to know the period? I’m guessing 60-70’s? It’s in very good condition and kinda groovy. I paid $5.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I picked up a piece of Briard at an estate sale today. Looked the name up and got your site. Wonderfully informative and so appreciated. I purchased a stoneware jug 7″ in the Horse and Leaf design from the American Country Collection for $2. Here’s my question: Why do these also have dates? For example: Pennsylvania c. 1865-70 or Vermont c. 1800? Certainly they are not that old. Are these intentional replicas by the designer?
January 14th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Hi I just came across a set of 8 metal trays with 4 different scenes on them. One of them looks just like the last one you have pictured 4 of them have angels playing harps and 2 of them have a bird in a cage with two above it on either side. All but two of the trays have the M and W along with the ges briard signature on them. Just trying to find out some more information on them. Thank you.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
You have a neat blog. Looks like you have put in a huge amount of work on it. Here is one of my favorite websites. Flameless Candle Warmer
March 18th, 2010 at 5:35 am
I recently acquired a piece marked Georges Briard and have not been able to find out anything about it at all. It’s metal, appears to be brass, and holds a clear glass bowl. It has an insulated metal lid that is adorned with a white ceramic or porcelain disk on top. The disk has a pattern of leaves and sunflowers in gold, trimmed with black. The piece also has wooden and brass handles on the sides and a wooden and brass knob on the lid. Any clues on this piece which is becoming a mystery to me? Thanks for any help you can give me.
March 18th, 2010 at 5:40 am
When I mentioned earlier the piece that’s a mystery to me, I forgot to say that it looks similar to some of the Fire King pieces except that the bottom portion is a clear glass bowl fit into a metal container. However, the lid is similar in style to the Fire King piece I saw on your website, but with a different pattern. The piece also has a mark on the bottom that looks like a little flared out crown. Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks again.
March 26th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I bought a signed Georges Briard glass dish off e-bay a few years back, and have lost the description. It’s a glass plate with a silver design of leaves in each section. There are 3 sections in the body of the dish. There are mainly big, spade-shaped leaves. I wonder if there are more pieces out there with this design? I guess it’s maybe a dish for condiments or pickles. It’s about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide. Any info appreciated.
thanks,
Rosheen
March 29th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Rosheen,
You might check out the Heritance pattern by Georges Briard. What you’re describing sounds very similar. I hope this helps.
April 8th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I have a framed painting signed Georges Briard. It has two birds, gold paint, and is very clearly related to the other more common items. It’s on some kind of board. One time someone suggested it was most likely part of a store display. Has anybody else found anything like that?
April 11th, 2010 at 11:06 am
hello…i enjoy your blog…i was at my local value village yesterday, a second hand department store which sells everything and anything..i came across 8 ‘cocktail mats’ with butterflies on them for $1.49 for all 8…i only bought them because i love butterflies and i like the combination of pink and gold and black..the name Georges Briard was signed on the side of each one so i looked him up on google and found that i have been overlooking his designs frequently in the housewares section of my value village…thankyou for the information on this wonderful designer..i just saw that 2 of these exact mats are selling on e-bay and the bid is currently at $13.00…isn’t collecting a wonderful thing…
April 15th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I have a 1950’s tumbler by George Briard if you are interested. This glass was originally part of the “Mix Your Poison” bar set. I done some research on it and I’m willing to let it go for $40 (plus S/H from whatever mail carrier you prefer). Most of the research I’ve done has been for this exact glass with 7 stir/swizzle sticks and they sell for upwards of $75 for just that and approaches $200 for the complete set. Let me know if you are interested and I look forward to your reply!
Sincerely,
Leslie M Crenshaw
April 26th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I have one his gold tone ash trays. It is square with a beautifu bouquet in center which has leaves, and 2 birds. It’s about 7″ by 7″. Is this one rare? I guess they are all rare, right?
April 26th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I found a George Briard piece at the thirft store yesterday for $4.00! I had never heard of him. A lady who was shopping stopped and told me I had scored. It sounds like it is a relatively common piece with gold/black apples and pears on white glass. Anyhow, I thought I would look him up and I found your blog. Thank you for the info. Great blog!
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I have a black midas collection ashtray w/gol;d birds, cork backing,signed in two places. it isfrom hyalyn pottery. can’t find any info about it. Please help.
May 12th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
i just picked up a gorgeous signed Georges Briard bent glass dish at a thrift store for 95 cents. It is smoke colored glass with gold and silver leaves and 2 stylized flying insects (bees?) in excellent condition. i had no idea what i had found until i came across your brilliant blog!
May 13th, 2010 at 7:13 am
My Dad passed away and Mom living with me. When I was cleaning out the house found a really cool metal tray that my Mom said was given to her as a wedding gift 61 years ago. On the back it is signed Georges Baird. It is rusted but still cool. Anyway I could clean it without ruining it?
June 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I have a set of glasses with Georges Briard’s name on each. The pattern looks like red or pink geraniums on the top part and green leaves on the bottom. Doses anyone know the name of the pattern?
Thanks,
King
June 18th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
We had briard growing up! Just found a butler table, early MW signature. Tray and chinese faux bamboo legs. have never seen another like it even a photo! Anyone have an idea of value? Thanks!
June 20th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Hi there, I just listed it at auction on Ebay. Fantastic piece that would complete any Georges Briard Collection! Amazing Butler table with tray top. Here’s the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320551570401&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
June 21st, 2010 at 6:09 pm
I purchased a round plate at an auction. It is clear and has the same pattern of the bent dish you have on this site it is about 8 inches in diameter and has a dome lid. I have looked everywhere online and have not found one. Can you tell me what I have? It is signed.
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I found your site after many searches to find out information regarding the work of Georges Briard. Your site has the most information and examples.
I have a plate, but don’t know what it is.
It is six-sided, approximately 10 1/4″ across, and signed on the back: Glass Guild, Georges Briard.
The front side is green and brilliant and has medals or circles of different colors around the inner rim like half a marble.
Thank you for your help.
Kind Regards.
Francesca
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 am
I highly recommend the following book to anyone interested in Georges Briard’s work. It gives many excellent examples of pieces and patterns, however, it didn’t have any information on a marked piece that I have so I’ll continue to look and dig for answers!
Designed & Signed: ’50S & ’60s Glass, Ceramics & Enamel Wares by Georges Briard, Sascha Brasto
Leslie A. Pina (See All Contributors)
Hardcover, 192 pages
Schiffer Publishing, Limited
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:37 am
I have many Georges Briard pieces and I love them all. I also collect Fred Press which incorporates similar styles but are not as plentiful.
July 31st, 2010 at 10:37 am
Hi there.
We recently purchased a BRIARD green frog figurine. We cannot seem to find ANYTHING ont he web abouit this guy!
Any suggestions??
Thanks! Darin
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:35 am
My dad passed away also, and left a Georges Briard ice bucket and 4 tumblers in the original red box. The ice bucket is a gold and brown mottled glossy color, plastic. The tumblers are glass, that are also the same color, all signed. So neat and vintage.
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:44 am
Briard was an amazing man who came through adversity to become one of the most notable designers of the last century. I have been interested in his work since first being made aware of it by a lady I worked for in New York City back in 1995. Her mother had also escaped Poland and she had a collection of his pieces.