A PAIR OF FRENCH (SCHOOL OF PARIS) MAJOLICA PALISSY STYLE SNAKE-HANDLED VASES

CIRCA 1880, PROBABLY BARBIZET, INSCRIBED WITH THE PAINTER'S MONOGRAM ON THE UNDERSIDE

Details

A PAIR OF FRENCH (SCHOOL OF PARIS) MAJOLICA PALISSY STYLE SNAKE-HANDLED VASES
Circa 1880, probably Barbizet, inscribed with the painter's monogram on the underside
Each of waisted cylindrical form, flanked by upright grapevine handles entwined with snakes, their heads extending onto the surface of the vase and centering masks of Medusa applied on each side above a butterfly, on a conforming foot
16½ in. (41.9 cm.) high (2)

Provenance

with Yale R. Burge, New York, 1991.

Literature

R. P. Wunder, 'Living with Antiques: Villa San Maurizio in Southern California', The Magazine Antiques, December 1999, p. 840, pl. I.

Lot Essay

That the present pair are French in origin and that they are from the School of Paris is without question. However, the specific workshop responsible for the model is yet to be confirmed. For a similar pair attributed to Georges Pull, Paris, third quarter of 19th century, see New Orleans Auction Galleries, November 17-19, 2000, lot 1983. For another of identical form but with grotesque masks in place of Medusa, see Animal Art Antiques; Christie's, New York, 20 January 2004, lot 839.

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