A FRENCH 'JAPONISME' ORMOLU AND CUT-CRYSTAL VASE CENTREPIECE

This fine centrepiece, attributed to Édouard Lièvre, reflects the fashion for Japonisme popular during the second half of the 19th century. The design of the present piece includes a number of details that are typical of the artist; the distinctive turtles, inspired by fantastic Japanese animals, are finely chased and gilt similar to those found on an aquarium ('Édouard Lièvre', Connaissance des Arts, no. 228, 2004, pp. 28, 31 and 34). Interestingly, a candlestick, sold in the Liévre sale, 19-20 March 1887, lot 275, 'composé d'un héron tenant une branche de lotus dans le bec et debout sur une tortue, describes a composition almost certainly very close to that of the present centrepiece.