Ref.16547
Japanese-style humidor with enameled decoration

This extraordinary Japanese-style humidor was crafted in the late 19th century. It is a true miniature piece of furniture. The central body is closed with two doors adorned with a rich enamel decoration, while on either side, open asymmetrical shelves seem ready to hold collectible items. The interior of the cabinet is divided into compartments and cigar drawers, allowing them to be stored separately. The enamel decoration depicting wading birds in an aquatic environment reflects the influence of Japanese prints and Chinese enamel objects on Western art starting from the 1870s. This small piece of furniture was created in the spirit of those crafted by the cabinetmaker Gabriel Viardot at the same time. The cover, with its upturned ends reminiscent of pagodas, the asymmetrical shelves, the ornamental panels, and the numerous low-relief carvings are all details that recall the furniture of the famous cabinetmaker.

Ref.12041
aul Romain CHEVRÉ (1866-1914) - Le combat de coqs, bronze with golden patina

Le combat de coqs, a bronze print with a golden patina signed Paul Chevré (1866-1914). Stamp of the foundryman Jollet & Cie Paris.

Ref.14083
Imaginary views of Paris in the 16th century: two paintings on porcelain by Alphonse CHAIGNON

Signed and dated 1882, these two circular-shaped porcelain paintings are the work of the painter Alphonse Chaignon. Trained by Jean-Hilaire Belloc, then a student of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Chaignon is known for his urban views idealizing the past, in particular medieval and Renaissance Paris. In the work we present on the left, the flamboyant Gothic bell tower of the Saint-Jacques Tower (completed in 1523) is identifiable. We can also see the sign of a tavern, “Au Lion d’Or”, indicating refined cuisine. If the costumes clearly evoke the Renaissance, the city is still immersed in a medieval atmosphere. The half-timbered houses, the Gothic ornaments, the centuries-old activities of women reflect Chaignon's archaeological passion. Certain details, such as the woman carrying a jug, demonstrate the influence of Italian painting on Chaignon. The medieval and Renaissance past fascinates many writers (Victor Hugo), architects (Viollet-Le-Duc) and artists (Jules Adeline, Alphonse Chaignon, Albert Robida) of the 19th century. The 1900 Universal Exhibition celebrated this imagination by offering a reconstruction of Paris in the Middle Ages.

Ref.14914
BOCH Frères, Art Nouveau Vase in Iridescent Faience Decorated with a Toad and Mushrooms, late 19th century

This iridescent faience vase with a toad and mushroom motif was created by the Boch Frères manufactory in the late 19th century. In 1841, Eugène and Victor Boch founded a fine faience manufactory called Kéramis in La Louvière, Belgium. The faience factory quickly flourished and diversified its production, adapting to the stylistic and technical evolutions of the time. This particular vase is emblematic of the Art Nouveau movement, as evidenced by its asymmetrical design directly inspired by nature: the body of the vase takes the form of a tree stump. Wider and rounded at the base due to roots seemingly ready to plunge into the earth, it rises to a certain height before ending with an irregular rim. Several mushrooms, among which an agaric, grow on it, and a toad climbs at the base of the stump. The vase features an iridescent glaze transitioning from pink to violet, lightening to white on the mushrooms and darkening to brown on the toad. This glazing demonstrates the high level of mastery achieved by certain artists and the most important manufactories at the end of the 19th century. The mark under the base indicates that the manufactory had a subsidiary in Thiais, in the Seine department. A vase of the same shape but with a slightly different glaze – where pink blends with yellow-orange, green, and blue (and the toad appears black) – was noted by expert Alain Cical.

Ref.15096
Louis XVI period trumeau decorated with a painting of a flowering vase

Ref.15168
Louis XVI style trumeau adorned with a frieze of ovals and pearls