A FINE AND RARE SILVER EWER AND MATCHING GOBLET

Details
A FINE AND RARE SILVER EWER AND MATCHING GOBLET
DESIGNED BY HENRI HUSSON FOR A. HEBRARD, PARIS, CIRCA 1905
The ewer baluster-form, with a hinged cover formed as an owl's head with small hinged cap for stirring, the spout formed as a beak, the carved ebony handle mounted with silver ferrules, the surface relief-decorated with vines of ivy against a textured ground, on a circular foot, struck with artist's monogram on cover and neck; base stamped A. HEBRARD PARIS; the goblet cylindrical, the hammered sides above a band of vines against a textured ground over a cylindrical stem, on a domed textured circular foot with a modelled beetle, struck with artist's monogram on foot; base inscribed with artist's signature--ewer 10¼in. high; goblet 6½in. high
(Gross weight 42oz.) (2)

Lot Essay

Henri Husson (1852-1914) is known for his inventive designs in metalwork, furniture and jewelry. His existing works in silver are generally small objects, such as a cloak clasp illustrated in Annelies Krekel-Aalberse, Art Nouveau and Art Deco Silver, New York, 1989, plate IV, p. 12. Husson's large pieces, mainly vases and chargers, were usually of copper with appliqués of silver. This ewer and goblet, worked entirely of silver, are rare survivals among Husson's work. Husson's copper pieces have similar naturalistic ornament against the textured ground which is characteristic of his interest in contrasting surface treatment.

Husson was discovered by Galerie Hébrard around 1900, and worked exclusively for the firm after 1902. Husson's designs were widely published in the period, appearing in the following journals: Art et Décoration, 1905, 1909, 1914; L'Art et les Artistes, 1909, 1910, 1913; Gazette des Beaux Arts, 1909; Chronique des Arts et de la Curiositè, 1914, 1916. Hébrard published an illustrated catalogue for its 1909 exhibition of fifty of Husson's works entitled Exposition de Cinquante Oeuvres Originales de H. Husson.