Discover Czech elegance with our exceptional moulded crystal vase by the designer Josef Inwald (1906-1937) for Barolac, dating from the 1930s, Art Deco period. Named "Dans la Forêt", this very fine piece adorned with trees in relief is of remarkable quality, its substantial weight and size evoking the prestige of Lalique.
A large krater in silver plate adorned with grape and vine-leaf motifs in relief, on a foot decorated with pearls, with a shaped rim bowl. Mid-20th century. London provenance. Very good condition.
A suite of six champagne flutes in partially gilt crystal with flat ribs, the base decorated with a gadrooned knop, each signed Jean-Paul VAN LITH.
An indispensable creator, Jean-Paul van Lith is a contemporary artist born in 1940, living and working in Biot in the south of France, present in some thirty French and foreign museums. A former student of the École des Arts Appliqués à l'Industrie in Paris, he has been in turn painter, tinsmith, ceramicist, glassmaker, writer, designer... From 1979 to 1981 he collaborated with the glassmaker Jean-Claude Novaro. In 1982 he was approached by the Portieux crystalworks in the Vosges. In 1984 he created with Monica Damian and Matei Negreanu the Studio Art at the Portieux crystalworks. He is a designer for the Hartzviller crystalworks.
Two very fine wedding globes containing bouquets of fruit in papier-mâché. 19th century. From 1850 to 1930, it was customary to preserve wedding bouquets under a globe for the entire duration of the marriage, traditionally ordered by the bride's mother.
For those fortunate enough to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, the custom was to offer them a basket of fruit. These fruits represented the four seasons. They were chosen to recall the symbols of the union.
The flowers transform into fruits. Marriage produces children.
White grapes symbolise little girls. Black grapes symbolise little boys. The apple symbolises fecundity and love. The peach exorcises evil spirits.
A pair of small jardinières or romantic mini-vases in painted tole with decoration of figures depicting a woman and a man in their costumes. Pastoral scene. 19th century.
A Napoléon III wedding globe adorned with a pyramid of three taxidermied edible crabs. This rare object, conceived for cabinets of curiosities, is highly graphic. It constitutes a unique and exotic piece combining 19th-century aesthetics with naturalistic elements.
A striking vintage fish vase in ceramic, by Marius Giuge for Vallauris. Circa 1960.
Signed Vallauris.