Style of Sèvres (French, founded 1738)
The vase design combines numerous materials and decorative techniques in an eye-catching and unusual way, creating a very desirable work of fine art.
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This impressive vase was crafted in France in the late 19th century. Its design is in the style of pieces produced by the world-famous Sèvres porcelain manufactory founded in 1738.
The navy ground porcelain body of the vase is hand-painted with various scenes and motifs. The front panel depicts an illustration inspired by Charles Joseph Natoire’s (French, 1700-1777) painting of the Four Elements, this one being fire from around 1740. The artist created a mirror reflection of the original painting on the vase’s body. Very vivid colours are used to enhance the visual impact of the scene, with shades of blue, red, and brown predominating. In the bottom left corner, the painting is signed ‘LEBER’ after a skilled painter employed by the Sèvres manufactory.
The central panel is masterfully framed in applied and raised gilt border, an unusual and very desirable feature on pieces of this type. The raised decoration gives the illusion of the gilt border and ormolu mounts blending into one cohesive piece of artistry.
The back panel depicts a serene landscape view. Various trees and foliage surround a lake and in the distance, one can spot a beautiful sunset or sunrise. A more muted colour palette is used for this scene. A more restrained, but also impressive, applied and raised border frames the illustration.
The sides are mounted with ormolu decoration cast in flowing shapes such as garlands and acanthus leaves. Not only are they a decorative feature but also a functional one acting as handles.
The neck and base of the vase are of a fluted and twisted shape, adding a visually exciting feature to the design. The flowing twists are coloured in navy and white with symmetrical gilt motifs. The lid terminates with an ormolu pinecone finial.
An ornate ormolu base supports the vase. It is adorned with numerous tassels, garlands, ribbons, floral motifs, and beading, below which are four symmetrical feet.
Another unusual feature of the piece is the deep brown, wooden base. Carved with restrained ornamentation it creates a magnificent balance of the richly cast and shining ormolu base standing on top of it. The stand bears the manufacturer’s sticker reading ‘MARSH, JONES, CRIBB & CO / (LATE KENDALL & CO.,)’ alongside the inventory number and workman’s name. Marsh, Jones, Cribb & Co was an English firm of renowned furniture cabinet makers during the Victorian period.
Of a magnificent design and superb finish, this large vase would be an outstanding centrepiece in the appropriate interior space.
Provenance: from the collection of the private museum of Sapporo Breweries Limited, Japan.
Overall dimensions: Height 157cm, width 60cm, depth 44cm
Vase: Height 141cm, width 60cm, depth 44cm
Base: Height 16cm, width 41cm, depth 41cm
From the collection of the private museum of Sapporo Breweries Limited, Japan.
Reference:
N-0121B
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