John Gauche (active 1843–68); Mrs. John Gauche (active 1868–83); John Gauche’s Sons (1883–1906)

1975.98_side2_web.jpg

Teapot

between 1882 and 1896; porcelain

by Haviland & Co. (Limoges, France)

John Gauche’s Sons, retailer (New Orleans)

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1975.98 a,b

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Dessert set

ca. 1885; porcelain

manufactured in Limoges, France

John Gauche’s Sons, retailer (New Orleans)

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 2014.0412.1.7

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John Gauche’s Sons receipt

July 30, 1892

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 77-166-L.1

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Photographic Album of the City of New Orleans, Comprising the Principal Business Houses and Views of the City

by Edward T. Adams, photographer

New Orleans: Hofeline & Adams, 1887

The Historic New Orleans Collection, gift of Ralph M. Pons, 77-224-RL

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 Moresque Building

1874; wood engraving

The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1951.41.44

John Gauche was born in Alsace-Lorraine and was established in New Orleans by the early 1840s. He ran a successful business on Chartres Street importing French porcelain and crockery and was one of the leaders of the New Orleans business community in the mid-nineteenth century. After the Civil War, Gauche bought an unfinished building designed by James Freret in the Moorish style. He fixed up the building and moved the majority of his crockery business to its location on Lafayette Square. When Gauche passed away in 1868, his wife ran the business for several years. In 1883 Gauche’s three younger sons, Winfield, George, and Edward, took over the business. The company suffered a setback when the cast iron Moresque Building caught fire and burned in two hours, the materials of the building creating a furnace for the contents inside. The company continued for a few years, but the sons liquidated the stock in 1906. 

Fancy and Plain: Ceramics
John Gauche (active 1843–68); Mrs. John Gauche (active 1868–83); John Gauche’s Sons (1883–1906)