Pair of Greek-Style Vases by LEVILLAIN and BARBEDIENNE

A pair of Greek-style vases made of gilded bronze. Each vase is shaped like a small amphora with a flared neck and a bulbous body, resting on a pedestal and a round base of green marble. Beautiful antique-style decoration featuring interlacing patterns, stars, and papyrus flowers, as well as three masks of bearded men.
The pedestal bears the bronze artist’s signature: F. BARBEDIENNE   
And on the body, that of: F. LEVILLAIN, sculptor.

Ferdinand Levillain (Paris 1837–1905) studied under the sculptor Jouffroy (1806–1882), before making his debut in 1861 at the Salon des Artistes Français, where he exhibited until 1903. It was at the 1867 World’s Fair in Paris that he first gained attention for creating a Neo-Greek bronze cup for the firm Blot et Drouard. However, it was beginning in 1871 that Levillain achieved fame, thanks to his partnership with the renowned bronze castor Ferdinand Barbedienne, who from then on displayed lamps, cups, amphorae, and other candelabra created in the Greek style at his booths. Levillain ultimately triumphed at the 1878 Paris World’s Fair, unanimously winning a gold medal for his works in the antique style, among which was this Neo-Greek vase. The famous bronze artist Servant (1828–c. 1890), stated in the jury’s report on artistic bronzes that his works—“chiseled like the finest jewelry” and “with forms so varied and so pure (…), are brought to the highest degree of perfection.” After receiving a First-Class Medal at the 1884 Salon for a cup titled “The Elements, the Months, and the Seasons,” Ferdinand Levillain won a Silver Medal at the 1889 World’s Fair.
Born in 1810 and died in Paris in 1892, Ferdinand Barbedienne founded and directed one of the most important art foundries of the 19th century. In addition to his own work, he collaborated with the most renowned sculptors, such as Clésinger, Carrier-Belleuse, and Guillemin. His entire body of work was always highly acclaimed, and he was consistently honored by contemporary critics, who, at the 1878 World’s Fair, compared him to “a prince of industry and the king of bronze.”

Dimensions: D: 8 cm H: 13.5 cm
Restorations: normal wear and maintenance.

Ref: RRTFQRVBUJ