Lot Essay
This sumptuous vase formed part of the collection of Jacques Doucet (1853-1929), which was sold in a legendary auction in Paris in 1912. A celebrated couturier who designed for many of the actresses of his day, such as Sarah Bernhardt, Doucet was also a passionate art collector, and his landmark sale featured Post-Impressionist and Cubist paintings, Art Deco and 18th Century French furniture, along with Asian ceramics and mounted porcelains. Doucet bought at many of the prestigious collection sales of the period, including the legendary Baron Double collection of 1881, when he was just 30, acquiring masterpieces such as those by the great ébénistes Riesener, Carlin and Boulle. Lot 71 in this sale, a pair of French giltwood fauteuils, also came from this celebrated collection.