Napoleon III Marble and Bronze Garniture, France, 19th Century

Napoleon III Period Émile Gallé A Pair of Cabinet Vases Multi-Color Enamel, Clear Art Glass Nancy, France Circa 1870s DIMENSIONS Height: 3.57 in Upper diameter: 1.63 in Width: 2,25 in Bottom diameter; 1.63 in MARKINGS Both vases are signed in enamel at the base, bearing the mark ‘E. Gallé Nancy.’ ABOUT VASES “The aim of my work: The study of nature, the love of nature's art, and the need to express what one feels in one's heart.” – Emile Gallé These exquisite, museum-quality vases are highly collectible and in great demand due to their representation of the very origins of the master’s distinctive oeuvre, tracing back to the 1870s. At that time, French applied arts were marked by the extraordinary Napoleon III style, which blended vibrant polychrome hues, lacquered surfaces, and intricate painting techniques. This style drew inspiration from Renaissance ideals of beauty, Baroque gilding, Neoclassical lines, and the sensuality of Rococo. This particular pair of cabinet vases uniquely amalgamates several prevailing artistic styles of the period, including Impressionism, Trompe-l'œil, Realism, and Romanticism. Each vase is adorned with multi-colored enamel paintings depicting fantastical designs, featuring insects fluttering among an array of exotic grasses and flowers. Both vases are further embellished with exquisite applied glass sea shells, a Rococo-style handles on their sides. Despite their identical classical form, the paintings on each vase differ significantly, yet together they form a surprisingly harmonious composition. ABOUT ARTIST Émile Gallé Gallé (French, 1846 – 1904) Born on May 4, 1846 in Nancy, France, Émile Gallé mile Gallé seemed destined for a career in glassmaking. Nancy was well-established for its glass artistry, and his father, Charles Gallé was an established faïence (ceramic) and glassmaker with his own successful manufactory, the Maison Gallé-Reinemer. It would be here under the guidance of his father that the young Emile began to learn the art of glassmaking while simultaneously indulging his academic interests in philosophy, botany and chemistry. In 1867, Gallé joined his father working full-time at the Maison. Gallé's glasswork, even at its earliest stages, was heavily influenced by nature, with his very first pieces incorporating enameled floral motifs painted upon clear glass. He was an avid botanist his entire life, collecting plants, flowers, and insects from which to study and draw inspiration. He was even elected Secretary-General for Nancy's Société centrale d'horticulture. Gallé traveled throughout Europe studying works at museums and private institutions, gaining insight from ancient glass antiquities to Japonesque masterpieces, and everything in between. It would be Gallé’s trip to the British Museum in 1871 that would alter the course of his art career. Enamored by the famed ancient Roman cameo glass...

ABOUT IRIS The iris is a special and mysterious flower. Not only because of its striking appearance, but also from an artistic and historical point of view. It is also like a work of art, as though created by Mother Nature. The unique leaves of this plant not only create wonderful shadow casts, but also look as if they were painted by hand. It's no wonder that iris acts as the muse for countless artists, and can be seen in many famous works of art. The iris was first spotted in the time of Pharaoh Thutmose, in 1504 BC. He had the iris inscribed into the wall reliefs of a temple as a sign of his power, as well as decorating his sceptre with motifs of the flower. Since then, the iris has been a symbol of victory in Egypt. But the symbolism of the iris goes further than that. In Japan, the flower represents courage and is the symbol of the boys' festival. In Islamic cultures, the iris is a symbol of prosperity. In Europe, the flower was a popular weapon symbol in the Middle Ages and stood for chivalry. And in Christianity, the iris was seen as a symbol of the trinity because of its three-part flowers. With more than 300 varieties, the iris is now the most popular flower among growers and gardeners following the rose. Countless artists use the iris in their works and the flower is present in all eras. You can see the flower on furniture, vases, jewelry, fabrics, sculptures, coats of arms and much more. Did you know that the iris is also called the sword lily? It's not a coincidence that it used to symbolize physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by a weapon. We also see the flower in religious art, where it's often associated with Mary and Jesus. The iris is also associated with the Greek goddess Iris, where the flower symbolizes reconciliation and divine messages. This is also reflected in many paintings. Finally, the iris is also visible in Dutch and Flemish still-life paintings. This can be in a religious form, incorporated into an object or as a decorative flower. In the Art Nouveau art movement, the iris (along with other plants, such as the birch) was often used as an expression of feminine beauty. With its almost otherworldly appearance, the iris is perfectly suited to the Art Nouveau aesthetic and is featured in many well-known works of art. The poet of that era, Hermann Hesse...

Probably Italian, 19th Century patinated bronze candlestick in form of a dancing Fawn holding a candle-vessel in his hands, on its original wood base.

Grand Tour Pair of Bronze Candelabras Late 19th Century DIMENSIONS Height: 10.33 inches Width: 4.75 inches Depth: 4.75 inches ABOUT We present to your attention a pair of stunning...

Pair of large green marble cassolettes with rich gilt bronze ornamentation: knots, garlands of flowers and leaves, putti raising their arms towards the flame on the lid (socket) Aft...

A handsome and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period black Belgian marble, ormolu and patinated bronze garniture set. The three pi...

Gilt-bronze and cloisonné garniture, France, 19th century. Clock works.

Decorate a room with this elegant antique jardinière. Created in France circa 1870, and oval in shape, the planter stands on cabriole legs decorated with acanthus leaf motifs at the ...