- 415
An Art Nouveau silver table garniture including a figural centerpiece and a pair of seven-light candelabra, maker's mark SW, probably German, circa 1905
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Silver
- the centrepiece 56cm, 22in; candelabra 60.5cm, 23 3/4in high
the centerpiece composed of four shaped dishes, surrounding four female nudes emerging from stylized openwork lily blossoms and foliage, rising to a cluster of buds from which a central trumpet blossom forms a vase, the matching candelabra with two figures each and openwork stems, flower-form sconces and scrolling tendril drip-pans, 800 standard
Condition
Overall condition is good, although branches are very slightly bent
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This garniture is very much in the spirit of the French artist Maurice Bouval, whom Alastair Duncan described as "the champion of the Art Nouveau woman-flower hybrid" (Art Nouveau and Art Deco Lighting). Bouvals pieces such as his candelabra "Obsession" and "Dream", featured in L'Art Décoratif, August, 1900 (and illustrated ibid., fig. XXIX) were cast both in silver and in bronze, through multiple foundries including Colin, Jollet, and Thiebaut Frères.
There are also elements of the naturalism of the South German Art Nouveau, such as Eduard Foehr's iris candlestick of circa 1900 now in the Wurtemburg Landesmusuem, Stuttgart, or particularly the female-plant candelabra designed by A. Strobl and executed by Eduard Wollenwever of Munich, now in the Germanic National Museum, Nuremburg (both illustrated Siegfried Wachman, Jugendstil Art Nouveau - Floral and Functional Forms, 194, fig. 47-48). The WMF continued this aesthetic, but in silver-plated examples and much more spindly in conception than the vigorous forms seem on this garniture.
There are also elements of the naturalism of the South German Art Nouveau, such as Eduard Foehr's iris candlestick of circa 1900 now in the Wurtemburg Landesmusuem, Stuttgart, or particularly the female-plant candelabra designed by A. Strobl and executed by Eduard Wollenwever of Munich, now in the Germanic National Museum, Nuremburg (both illustrated Siegfried Wachman, Jugendstil Art Nouveau - Floral and Functional Forms, 194, fig. 47-48). The WMF continued this aesthetic, but in silver-plated examples and much more spindly in conception than the vigorous forms seem on this garniture.