Chrysanthemums Pot-Pourri Vase by Ernest Leveille & Eugène Rousseau, 1800s

Description

A magnificent collaboration between renowned glassmakers ernest-baptiste leveillé and françois-eugène rousseau, this exquisite pot-pourri urn is a testament to the … more A magnificent collaboration between renowned glassmakers ernest-baptiste leveillé and françois-eugène rousseau, this exquisite pot-pourri urn is a testament to the japonism period style that they pioneered. Retailed by the prestigious pannier-lahoche brothers' l'escalier de cristal, this piece features a twisted, multicolored crystal base, adorned with a 24k gold gilt bronze handle and cover. The intricate chrysanthemum decorations reflect the japanese-inspired aesthetic that defined their work.

france circa 1880s.

in very good condition.

dimensions in cm ( h x l x l ) : 27 x 16 x 11

françois-eugène rousseau, known as eugène rousseau, was a master glassmaker established in paris in 1855 as a dealer specializing in porcelain and earthenware. Around 1867, he turned to glass and enlisted the expertise of eugène michel to engrave a whole range of glassware in the "art nouveau" style. Japanese aesthetics would influence rousseau's work throughout his career. Ernest-baptiste leveillé, a student of françois-eugène rousseau before becoming his associate, is considered one of the pioneers of japonism in france. In 1867, the appert brothers in clichy produced the first glassware models designed by ernest leveillé. Leveillé continued rousseau's work after his death, having purchased the stock of his workshop on rue coquillière in 1885. Together, they produced glassware with gilded bronze elements in the sino-japanese style for luxury stores such as l'escalier de cristal, which commissioned these types of pieces from their workshops to sell, particularly with the japanese taste that was in vogue until world war i.

escalier de cristal x pannier-lahoche :

in 1852, pierre isidore lahoche decided to partner with emile pannier, the son of a faience maker and husband of his daughter, célina lahoche. The 1850s also marked the beginning of the first world's fairs, in which the store participated regularly, thus increasing its fame in france and abroad. Eager to attract an ever-growing international clientele, lahoche and pannier did not hesitate to cross the atlantic to showcase their products in new york, where they were awarded a silver medal in 1853. They were also awarded another silver medal at the 1855 paris world's fair and received a commission from napoleon iii. The emperor purchased a cut ruby crystal cup with a gilded bronze horn.

their success stemmed from their ability to follow the fashion and tastes of their time. Moreover, keen to reach a wider clientele, lahoche and pannier produced more affordable art objects, thanks to new techniques such as electroplating. The store thus enabled this more modest clientele to acquire "good taste" objects while imagining themselves as part of a higher social class.

the 1862 london world's fair, where their production earned a bronze medal, was the last one in which the partners participated together. In 1863, lahoche retired from the business. Emile pannier, now solely in charge, kept the double name for a few more years to preserve the reputation lahoche had earned.

the 1867 paris world's fair was a very important event for emile pannier, as it marked his first participation alone. For the occasion, though he still kept his former partner’s name, he reversed the surnames, placing his name before lahoche’s. L’escalier de cristal once again earned a bronze medal and received widespread praise. The exhibition catalog noted: "each exhibition is a triumph for l'escalier de cristal; its reputation seems unable to grow further, and it could adopt the proud motto of noble houses: i will uphold. But in industry, to uphold means to progress. Mr. Pannier-lahoche, its young and skillful director, knows this and proves it. The showcases granted to him at the palais de l’industrie are too small to contain all the masterpieces from his workshops. He has organized a permanent exhibition at his stores in the palais-royal, which better showcases the resources and importance of his establishment. There, in all their splendor, are displayed complete table services of decorated porcelain and crystal, with centerpieces mounted in gilt bronze and old silver, which the house has made a specialty […]".

the high quality of its production attracted an even broader princely clientele. Among the store’s patrons were now the tsar, the emperor of austria, the kings of spain, portugal, prussia, and holland, the dukes of württemberg, as well as the princes of orange and wales. This piece has an attribution mark,
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