Pair of Japanese-style Cloisonné Vases Attributed to Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) And

Creator: attributed to Ferdinand Barbedienne and Edouard Lièvre. Style: Japonisme (1850-1900) / Fin de Siècle. Place of origin / date of manufacture: France. Late 19th century. Condition: excellent. Gilding in perfect condition. A very beautiful pair of large baluster vases in cloisonné enamel, decorated on the body with floral Arabesque motifs on a geometric blue and gold background. Rich gilt bronze mount at the base and neck with side handles in the shape of Foo dog heads. The base of the mount features a frieze with four feet shaped like harnessed elephant heads, attributable to Edouard Lièvre. The vases are fitted with their original painted zinc liners / planters that fit into the opening. Although unsigned, this decorative ensemble is heavily inspired by the work of Edouard Lièvre in collaboration with Ferdinand Barbedienne and of exceptional quality. Many pieces using the same type of cloisonné are signed by Barbedienne, and the harnessed elephant heads can be linked to the designs of Edouard Lièvre. Circa 1870-1880. A small abrasion on the cloisonné of one of the vases. The gilt bronzes have been restored with a double patina as originally done by Alain Bellino in Nice. Edouard Lièvre collaborated with Ferdinand Barbedienne, particularly for the creation of pieces inspired by Japonism and Orientalism. Modernity at that time reflected a taste for exoticism, with the discovery of Japanese art, blended with a rich imagination that Lièvre expressed through high-quality stylistic compositions and collaborations with the most prestigious Parisian houses such as de Sormani, Christofle, and Barbedienne.