A large scale Japonisme gilt and painted bronze jardiniere, circa 1875, probably after a design by Edouard Lièvre

Though the use and interpretation of these Japanese and Chinese design elements was entirely Parisian and thoroughly modern at the time, this jardinière reflects the European interest in the culture and design of the Far East in the second half of the 19th century, brought by the opening of Japan to the West and that nation's participation in the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle. The elegant jardinière was probably designed by Edouard Lièvre, the Parisian designer pioneering the 'Japonisme' style and working in Paris for fondeurs such as Ferdinand Barbedienne and Maison Marnyhac.

Characteristics of Lièvre's work include motifs such as elephaant heads, turtles, butterflies, intricately and interwined lines and stylised foliage in the Japonisme taste. This jardinière clearly fits into Lièvre's vocabulary of designs and can be compared to other works designed by him:

- two jardinières of similar overall structure, both stamped Ferdinand Barbedienne, one sold at Christie's, New York, 20 April 2006, lot 192 and the other offered at Carvajal, Antibes, 30 May 2020, lot 327.

- a table sold Christie's, London, 18 September 2014, lot 31 with a frieze recalling the present stand.

- the relief work to the bowl of this jardinière are similar to those found on a cabinet sold Christie's, London, 10 July 2014, lot 56.

- and finally the presence of elephant heads most with the trunk rolled inwards, but others with the trunk rolled outwards, present in numerous works such as Sotheby's, Paris, 27 April 2017, lot 295, signed by Maison Marnyhac, and another sold Christie's, New York, 11 April 2007, lot 42.

Edouard Lièvre (d. 1886)

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. The suite of furniture designed for Vieillard included the Cabinet Japonais now in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris (inv. no. OAO 555). 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 (his designs, sketches and their reproduction right) 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.