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Lot Essay
Whilst the cultures of the Far-East had always held appeal for Westerners, it was the opening of Japan to trade with the West, which sparked a revival of interest in the decorative arts of the region; Japan's participation in the 1867 Paris Exposition, only served to increase the appetite for the fashionable 'Japonisme' style. Contrary to what is implied by the title, this movement was not exclusively concerned with the decorative arts of Japan, but was the Parisian interpretation of a style which also drew on many Far-Eastern cultures for inspiration including that of China.
The present lot is a striking expression of the 'Japonisme' style, one candidate for the design of the present wall appliqués is Edouard Liévre (1829-1886) who was a leading exponent of the style.
Liévre began his career as a painter before turning attention to the applied arts; he received great acclaim as a designer and his work was repeatedly exhibited at the Paris Expositions.
He designed pieces in ormolu decorated with remarkably similar stylised dragons to those employed in the present lot, such as his 'Aquarium Jaiponisant' (Connaissance des Arts, Hors-série no. 228, Edouard Liévre, Paris 2004, p. 31) also see the mount to the pedestal of an occasional table he designed (ibid. p. 3), both pieces are dated 1875 and cast by renowned Paris foundry Barbedienne.
After Liévre's death in 1886 his estate was sold in two auctions and much of the collection is thought to have been purchased by the Pannier brothers, owners of the renowned l'Escalier de Cristal situated in the exclusive Palais Royal. The Panniers are also known to have produced variants of Liévres designs and so may also be candidates for the production of the present lot.
The present lot is a striking expression of the 'Japonisme' style, one candidate for the design of the present wall appliqués is Edouard Liévre (1829-1886) who was a leading exponent of the style.
Liévre began his career as a painter before turning attention to the applied arts; he received great acclaim as a designer and his work was repeatedly exhibited at the Paris Expositions.
He designed pieces in ormolu decorated with remarkably similar stylised dragons to those employed in the present lot, such as his 'Aquarium Jaiponisant' (Connaissance des Arts, Hors-série no. 228, Edouard Liévre, Paris 2004, p. 31) also see the mount to the pedestal of an occasional table he designed (ibid. p. 3), both pieces are dated 1875 and cast by renowned Paris foundry Barbedienne.
After Liévre's death in 1886 his estate was sold in two auctions and much of the collection is thought to have been purchased by the Pannier brothers, owners of the renowned l'Escalier de Cristal situated in the exclusive Palais Royal. The Panniers are also known to have produced variants of Liévres designs and so may also be candidates for the production of the present lot.