Antiques M.S. Rau | World’S Fair Bronze Vase By Barbedienne

This Monumental Gilt-Bronze And Enamel Vase Marries The Imaginative Designs Of Édouard Lièvre’S ‘Le Style Japonais Et Chinois’ And The Technical Prowess Of Renowned Bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. The Urn Features Elaborate Decoration And Two Handles With Caracal Heads Holding Articulated Openwork Handles.

Lièvre Was Regarded As One Of The Most Talented Designers And Draftsmen Of The Late 19Th Century. His Modern Style Tinged With Asian Influence Elevated His Profile In Design Circles And He Became One Of The Preeminent Tastemakers Of The Day. As Such, The Highly Respected Barbedienne Was A Fitting Collaborator To Help Lièvre Realize His Distinctive Original Designs. Together, The Pair Created Several Notable Works That Drew From Fantasies Of The Far East, Canonical Renaissance And Neoclassical Forms And Elevated Modern Techniques To Form Unique And Sought-After Objet.

The Elaborate Enamel And Bronze Work Featured In This Stunning Vase Was Such A Triumph Of Technique And Design That Barbedienne Selected The Vase To Be Displayed At His Exhibit In The Decorative Arts Pavilion Of The Seminal 1878 Exposition Universelle. A Testament To The Artistry And Engineering Prowess Of Their Illustrious Collaboration, This Stunning ‘Japonisme’ Style Gilt-Bronze And Enamel Urn Was The Centerpiece Of The Display. Representing The Union Of Aesthetics Of The Far East With The Tradition Of Unimpeachable European Artistry, This Urn Carries The Distinguished Flair Of Its Renowned Designer And Fondeur. The Exquisite Work Recalls The Important History Of Decorative Arts Created To Wow Audiences On The World’S Stage.

Lièvre’S 19Th-Century Designs Made A Huge Impact On The World Of Decorative Arts And Have Been Described As Époque Defining. He Created Several Famous Works For Esteemed Clients Like Preeminent French Actress Sarah Bernhardt And He Even Designed An Elaborate Bed For The Notorious Courtesan Louise-Emilie Valtesse De La Bigne — Currently On View At Musée Des Arts Décoratifs In Paris. Lièvre Collaborated With Other Notable Craftsmen Including The Silversmith Christofle, Marchands-Merciers Like Escalier De Cristal And Bronzier Maison Marnyhac. However, It Is Lievre’S Collaborative Designs With Leading French Bronze Fondeur Ferdinand Barbedienne For Which He Is Most Celebrated.

Circa 1878

Vase: 27” High By 14 1/2” Wide By 11 1/2” Deep
Base: 13″ High By 11 7/8″ Wide By 11 7/8″ Deep