A silver-gilt and enamel inkwell, Eugene Feuillâtre, Paris, circa 1900

of conical form, body and cap enamelled in shimmering translucent green and blue with stylised peacock feathers, glass stopper, maker's mark, boar's head and stamped FEUILLATRE

overall very good condition
"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."

Eugène Feuillâtre (1870-1916) was a French enameller whose talent and genius made him head of Lalique’s workshop at the very young age of 20. In 1897 he set up his own workshop and rapidly rose to great success, gaining a large national and international clientele including private collectors and public institutions. He also worked with Louis Comfort Tiffany on a few rare pieces which bear both makers’ marks. After the success of his stand at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900, Feuillâtre was much admired as one of the best artists of a French Art Nouveau movement. He participated in the French section alongside Lalique, Sandoz, Boucheron, Falize and Odiot, of a number of International Exhibitions: Glasgow in 1901, then Turin (1902), Berlin (1902-1903),Liege (1905), London (Franco-British Exhibition, 1908), Brussels and Santiago (1910). He tragically died on the battlefield on 30 September 1916.

The motif of the peacock was the utmost fashionable motif for Art Nouveau artists and features regularly in Feuillâtre’s  production: in 1899, he presented a flacon in white translucent enamel with ton-sur-ton peacock feathers which was acquired by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. A box and cover, circa 1900-1901, is in the Musée de l'Horlogerie et de l'émaillerie, Geneva, published by M. Koch et al, The Belle Epoque of French Jewellery, 1850-1910, London, 1990, cat. 179, and in 1900, he showed at the Paris Universal Exhibition, a silver and enamel flacon in the form of a peacock which was much acclaimed by the jury and art reviews of the time sold Sothebys’ London, 5 July 2017, lot 44.