Lot 224: EDOUARD LIÈVRE 1829 - 1886 A PAIR OF FINE AND RARE FRENCH JAPONISME GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE FIVE LIGHT WALL APPLIQUES FRENCH, CIRCA 1875

EDOUARD LIÈVRE 1829 - 1886 A PAIR OF FINE AND RARE FRENCH JAPONISME GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE FIVE LIGHT WALL APPLIQUES FRENCH, CIRCA 1875 each cast with a stylized dragon holding foliate cast branches. overall height 31 3/4 in. 81 cm

Connaissance des Arts, Hors-série No. 228, Édouard Lièvre, Paris, 2004, p. 31, for an illustration of the Aquarium Japonisant cast by Barbedienne and conceived by Lièvre in 1875, featuring the identical interpretation of fierce dragons showing in the present lot.

While European interest in the culture and design of the Far East preceded the last quarter of the 19th century, this period witnessed a strong resurgence in the appeal of oriental exoticism in the decorative arts, brought by the opening of Japan to the West and that nation's participation in the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle. As in the design of the present pair of candelabras, the Chinese French revival in France derived from both Japanese and Chinese designs, though the use and interpretation of these elements was entirely Parisian and thoroughly modern at the time.
Based upon the stylistic composition and the high quality of the casting of the present lot, one might suggest a possible attribution to a design by Edouard Lièvre and a manufacture to Barbedienne.

Born in Nancy, Lièvre trained as a painter under the French academic painter Thomas Couture before turning his attention to decorative art design. His earliest important work, datable with certainty, is the grand vase persan designed for the Christofle firm in 1874; it was exhibited by the latter at the Paris Expositions of 1878 and also in 1889 and 1900. Lièvre also designed for the illustrious bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. Among Lièvre's important clients were actress Sarah Bernhardt, courtesan Louise-Emilie Valtesse de la Bigne, and Albert Vieillard, director of Bordeaux's ceramics factory and an early Japonisme enthusiast. (see lot 221 in the present sale).The suite of furniture designed for Vieillard included the Cabinet Japonais now in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Following Lièvre's death, his estate was sold in two auctions in 1887 and 1890. These auctions were commended by the press: "It has been a long time since art lovers had the opportunity to see at auction a remarkable collection such as the work of the recently deceased master. His creations will make history..." (see Connaissance des Arts, No. 228, Un créateur inspiré by Roberto Polo, p. 8). It is believed that most of the collection was sold to George and Henri Pannier, owners of the elegant shop, l'Escalier de Cristal. The Pannier brothers produced altered versions of Lièvre's designs, including seven variants of Vieillard's Cabinet Japonais, one of which was sold to Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia and is now in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg.