Pair Of Japanese-style Cloisonné Enamel Vases Attributed To Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) And

Very fine pair of large baluster vases in cloisonné enamel with decoration on the belly of floral Arabist motifs on a blue and gilded geometric background.
Rich gilt bronze mount on the base and neck with side handles in the shape of Fo dog heads. The base of the mount is in a frieze with four feet in harnessed elephant heads attributable to Edouard Lièvre. The vases are equipped with their original painted zinc double bottoms / planters which fit into the opening.

Although unsigned, this decorative ensemble is very much inspired by the work of Edouard Lièvre in collaboration with Ferdinand Barbedienne and of exceptional quality. Many pieces using the same type of cloisonné are signed by Barbedienne, and the harnessed elephant heads are similar to the designs of Edouard Lièvre.

Circa 1870-1880. A small abrasion on the cloisonné of one of the vases. The bronzes were restored with a double patina as original by Alain Bellino in Nice.

Edouard Lièvre collaborated with Ferdinand Barbedienne in particular for the creation of pieces inspired by Japan and orientalism. Modernity is then a taste for the exotic, with the discovery of Japanese art, mixed with a teeming imagination that Lièvre expresses through high-quality stylistic compositions and collaborations with the greatest Parisian houses such as de Sormani, Christofle and Barbedienne.

Born in Nancy, Edouard Lièvre was trained in the studio of the French academic painter Thomas Couture before turning to the design of decorative arts. Among Lièvre's main clients were the actress Sarah Bernhardt, the courtesan Louise-Emilie Valtesse de la Bigne and Albert Vieillard, director of the Bordeaux ceramic factory and enthusiast of the beginnings of Japonism. The suite of furniture designed for Vieillard included the Japanese Cabinet currently at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. After Lièvre's death, his collections were sold at two auctions in 1887 and 1890. 'For a long time, art lovers have had the opportunity to see at auction a remarkable collection like the work of the recently deceased Master. His creations will make history...' (see Connaissance des Arts, No. 228, An Inspired Creator, by Roberto Polo, page 8).