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Léon Messagé Inkwells

Léon Messagé had a brilliant, but short-lived career. He is best known for his incredible sculptural collaboration with François Linke for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. A gifted sculptor, Messagé was also responsible for much of the design and creative work for Roux et Brunet and Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener. Messagé enjoyed great success as a designer/sculptor before he collaborated with Linke. Indeed, he was mentioned as a Gold Medal winner at the 1889 International Exhibition and was especially praised for his work on a cabinet by Zwiener. He came into contact with Linke in 1885, and it appears from then on Linke employed him regularly. Messagé was primarily influenced by Rococo ornament, but he strove to re-interpret it. He did not produce slavish copies, and his original approach can be appreciated in Linke's celebrated Grande Bibliothèque and Grand Bureau exhibited at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle. Several drawings by Messagé are recorded, and after his success at the exhibition of 1889, he was encouraged to publish his designs. Cahier de dessins & croquis, style Louis XV: bronzes, orfèvrerie, décoration, meubles was first published by the sculptor himself, from his Paris address of 40 rue Sedaine. There were five sections with an elaborate title page surmounted by the sculptor's cipher or talisman of a wing, a pun on his name as the messenger to the Gods, a motif he used many times on the handles of furniture designed for Linke. As a sculptor, Messagé was trained to produce a wax maquette or model before working on a piece. For Messagé, it was not just a matter of producing decorative mounts the piece was conceived as sculpture, bronze, timber and marquetry as one.

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Creator: Léon Messagé
Louis XV Style Inkwell, Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Rare Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Inkwell. Designed by Léon Messagé and Cast By The Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry, Paris. Designed in the exuberant Rococo style surmounted by a sea...
Category

19th Century French Rococo Antique Léon Messagé Inkwells

Materials

Ormolu

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Léon Messagé inkwells for sale on 1stDibs.

Léon Messagé inkwells are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Léon Messagé inkwells, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original inkwells by Léon Messagé were created in the Rococo style in france during the 19th century. Prices for Léon Messagé inkwells can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $36,217 and can go as high as $61,940, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $49,078.

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