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Lot Essay
This vase is one from a series of six of differing designs, supplied for the third and last parterre of the Jardin Haut; the Parterre du Midi in the gardens of Versailles, just outside Paris.
In 1687, the mason Deschamps enclosed the parterre by low retaining walls on the North, East and West. Six pairs of bronze vases, including one of this model, were placed on the wall at that time. Originally designed to be executed in silver by Claude Ballin (d. 1678), the King's goldsmith, due to the high cost of the war in Flanders, they were eventually cast in bronze between 1660 and 1680.
Jean Lepautre executed the prints of the six designs for Louis XIV's Cabinet du Roi, at Versailles. The print for this vase is inscribed Vase de Bronze, de 2 pieds 6. po. de haut. A Versailles. Par Claude Bellain de Paris; and le Porte sculps. 1673.
In 1852, eighteen further vases were placed along the East and West sides. They were cast by Calla who copied the earlier vases and added three more patterns.
Louis XIV's gardens at Versailles were inspired by the myth of the Sun God, Apollo, as personified by the King who was dubbed Le Roi Soleil.
This illustrates why the sides of the vases with the dragon handles are decorated with scenes from the myth of Apollo, associated with the rewards accorded to heroes. The oak garland is associated with the Pythian games founded by Apollo in memory of his victory over the Python, and the laurel wreath is linked with the nymph Daphne who, as she was pursued by Apollo, implored her father to save her and was therefore transformed into a laurel, or bay tree.
With the exception of the bronze copies at Versailles, Ballin's vases were to remain unique until the third quarter of the 19th century, when the 4th Marquess of Hertford (d. 1870) had copies cast for his estate outside Paris, Pavillon de Bagatelle.
See lot 269 for a pair of vases by Cornu.
In 1687, the mason Deschamps enclosed the parterre by low retaining walls on the North, East and West. Six pairs of bronze vases, including one of this model, were placed on the wall at that time. Originally designed to be executed in silver by Claude Ballin (d. 1678), the King's goldsmith, due to the high cost of the war in Flanders, they were eventually cast in bronze between 1660 and 1680.
Jean Lepautre executed the prints of the six designs for Louis XIV's Cabinet du Roi, at Versailles. The print for this vase is inscribed Vase de Bronze, de 2 pieds 6. po. de haut. A Versailles. Par Claude Bellain de Paris; and le Porte sculps. 1673.
In 1852, eighteen further vases were placed along the East and West sides. They were cast by Calla who copied the earlier vases and added three more patterns.
Louis XIV's gardens at Versailles were inspired by the myth of the Sun God, Apollo, as personified by the King who was dubbed Le Roi Soleil.
This illustrates why the sides of the vases with the dragon handles are decorated with scenes from the myth of Apollo, associated with the rewards accorded to heroes. The oak garland is associated with the Pythian games founded by Apollo in memory of his victory over the Python, and the laurel wreath is linked with the nymph Daphne who, as she was pursued by Apollo, implored her father to save her and was therefore transformed into a laurel, or bay tree.
With the exception of the bronze copies at Versailles, Ballin's vases were to remain unique until the third quarter of the 19th century, when the 4th Marquess of Hertford (d. 1870) had copies cast for his estate outside Paris, Pavillon de Bagatelle.
See lot 269 for a pair of vases by Cornu.