Ref.14102
Alphonse Giroux, the Japonism style koi carp bowl

This very beautiful piece designed by Maison Giroux is an “Imari” style porcelain from 1880. It illustrates the very important taste for Japonism in 19th century society. Our cup is garnished with a gilded bronze frame, bearing the signature of Alphonse Giroux. The decoration of the frame, like the exterior of the cup, pays homage to the symbolic figure of the dragon. The colors adopted by Alphonse Giroux are typical of the Imari style: cobalt blue, dark red and saffron. The space is subtly exploited by a naturalistic and animal decor. The bottom of the cup is occupied by two large intertwined koi carp, symbols of strength in Japanese culture. The koi carp is legendary. According to an ancient legend, the bravest who manage to go up the mighty yellow river will transform into dragons with golden scales. This beautiful Parisian-made object dates from the Second Empire, a period of great activity for Maison Alphonse Giroux, a store famous for its luxury cabinetmaking, mounted objects and tablets in Paris.

Ref.14965
Louis-Robert CARRIER-BELLEUSE for the CHOISY-LE-ROI faience factory, Bust of Diana, circa 1900

This highly original faience bust was created by Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse for the Choisy-le-Roi faience factory around 1900. Son of the famous sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, Louis-Robert distinguished himself in the field of decorative arts. He provided models for the Choisy factory, of which he became the artistic director in 1889. With her bare and sensual chest, despite the drapery partially covering it, the woman is crowned with a crescent moon identifying her as the goddess Diana, goddess of the hunt and also of the night. Her curly hair, held in a bun, reveals her beautiful face smiling with lowered eyelids. The bust rests on a Sarrancolin marble pedestal, whose veins echo the colors of the work. On the back, it bears the artist's signature, as well as the mark of the factory. The sculptor created another bust in the same spirit, also for the Choisy factory. This one represents the prophetess Velléda, a Celtic prophetess who inspired many artists in the 19th century.