19th Century Japonism Ormolu Mounted Signed Baccarat Crystal Vase by Lievre

Product Description

A Beautiful 19th Century Japonism Ormolu Mounted Signed Baccarat Crystal Vase, designed by E. Lievre. The vase features a rectangular form with gilt decoration. The design depicts two birds perched on a flowering branch, with birds symbolizing freedom and beauty. The birds and other decorations on the crystal are put on the vase by carving into the crystal and filling the carving with 24K gilding. The vase is supported by four ormolu mounted elephant heads, each finely cast, hand-chased, and hand-chiseled.
Édouard Lièvre (1828-1886) was a prominent French designer and artist known for his work in the decorative arts, particularly in the mid-to-late 19th century. He is best known for his collaboration with luxury manufacturers, including Baccarat, where his designs contributed to the company’s renowned reputation for opulent and finely crafted Crystal objects. Lièvre’s style blended elements of Rococo and Renaissance Revival, as well as Japonisme, which was a popular artistic movement in the 19th century influenced by Japanese art and aesthetics. His work often featured intricate floral motifs, natural forms, and stylized depictions of animals, with a particular affinity for elephants. Elephants, symbolizing strength and wisdom, appeared frequently in his designs, often rendered in finely detailed gilt bronze. These motifs reflected both the Oriental influence of Japonisme and the fascination with exotic animals and cultures during this period.
Lièvre’s collaboration with Baccarat resulted in some of the most exceptional works combining his distinctive style with Baccarat’s crystal-making expertise. His use of elephants in Baccarat pieces, paired with the luxurious application of crystal and gilded bronze, created objects that were both striking and symbolic. The integration of Japonisme with Lièvre’s designs brought an exotic flair to Baccarat’s crystal, contributing to the elegance and opulence for which the company became known. Some of the most expensive and sought-after objects ever produced in the 19th century were after Lièvre’s designs and fetched hundreds of thousands dollars in auctions such as Christies and Sotheby’s. The underside of the bronze has the signature Baccarat stamp.
France, Circa: 1870