Lot Essay
Baron Vitta was a refined and wealthy patron of the Arts at the turn of century. The decorative scheme for his magnificent villa La Sapinière at Evian was a testament not only to his taste but also to his discernment in the commission of Braquemond to orchestrate and direct the project. Braquemond in turn selected specific artists to complete his designs, most notably in the Billiard Room.
The present piece, possibly created for the baron's residence in the Champs Elysées, Paris, demonstrates Bracquemond's command of the craftsmen employed. The workmanship is of the highest quality, befitting the status of its patron; Braquemond selected a little-known yet superbly talented enameller to execute the plique-à-jour, and in selecting Falize Frères to produce the gold work, created an apparently unique collaboration between Falize and Riquet.
This piece will be included in the forthcoming volume on the Falize family, currently in preparation by Katherine Purcell of Wartski.
We are grateful to Ms Purcell for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.
The present piece, possibly created for the baron's residence in the Champs Elysées, Paris, demonstrates Bracquemond's command of the craftsmen employed. The workmanship is of the highest quality, befitting the status of its patron; Braquemond selected a little-known yet superbly talented enameller to execute the plique-à-jour, and in selecting Falize Frères to produce the gold work, created an apparently unique collaboration between Falize and Riquet.
This piece will be included in the forthcoming volume on the Falize family, currently in preparation by Katherine Purcell of Wartski.
We are grateful to Ms Purcell for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.