Vase "bouquetiere" in Desvres faience decorated with the coat of arms of the Duke of Brittany

The bouquetière is a vase to several collars welcoming flowers on stems. This flowergirl is decorated with a coat of arms to the symbol of ermine and wearing the Crown Ducal Crown (a circle of gold mounted eight florets).  Indeed, the ermine is the Duke of Brittany as the flower of lily is to the King of France. In the middle ages, the ermine is a symbol of purity: for the whiteness of its fur, single tail rest always black. This immaculate thick fur was soon coveted by man, to counter its shields. These ermine skins were sewn side by side and were placed in the middle of each black line fixed by three bars cross. This gave the breton stylized symbol.

Ref. : BK24v85