A monumental French cast-iron vase on pedestal

BY VAL D'OSNE, PARIS, CIRCA 1890

Details

A monumental French cast-iron vase on pedestal
By Val d'Osne, Paris, Circa 1890
The vase with foliate-cast overhanging rim and stepped neck, the fluted body applied with a pair of Greek key handles and draped with oak and acorn festoons, the front and reverse centred with a female portrait roundel, with acanthus-cast lower body, on a circular spreading socle and square base stamped FONDERIES DU VAL D'OSNE/58 BD VOLTAIRE PARIS, the pedestal with square top, above a chandelle-inset fluted cylindrical column, with four scrolled volutes and hung with laurel festoons, on circular stepped base, similarly stamped
75¼in. (191cm.) high

Lot Essay

The eminent French foundry of Val d'Osne was established in the town of the same name by J. P. V. André in 1835. Somewhat of an entrepreneur, André made an early name for himself by inventing a cheap system of moulding drainage and water pipes, which he supplied in large quantities to the city of Paris.

A frequent participant at the international exhibitions of the second half of the nineteenth century, in particular receiving critical acclaim for a large fountain cast with classical shown in London in 1851, the Val d'Osne's output was not only prolific but hugely diverse. Taken over by Barbezat & Cie in 1867, and allying with the fondeur Ducel towards 1870, the company was eventually renamed Société Anonyme des Hauts-Fourneaux & Fonderies du Val-D'Osne, Anciennes maison J. P. V. André et J. J. Ducel et Fils.

The design for this monumental vase and pedestal - a fine example of Val d'Osne's ability to maintain excellent quality, even when casting on a large scale - appears in the company's 1888 trade catalogue.

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