Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.16549

DECK Théodore, Dragon vase in the Chinese style

The delicate mastery of the glaze, the virtuoso technique, the grace of the decoration, and the aesthetic sensibility so brilliantly seen here, all combine to make this vase an exceptional work of art from the hand of the famous ceramicist Théodore Deck.

    Decorated with a dragon whose body wraps around the contours of the vase with great elegance, this vase is a perfect example of the taste for Far Eastern art that became so fashionable during the second half of the 19th century. This taste was fueled by the famous collections of enlightened connoisseurs, such as the Empress Eugénie or Henri Cernushi, as well as by the presence of the Asian countries who participated in the international exhibitions of the day. Japanese and Chinese art was enormously attractive to the cultured elite who sought out art objects with a sophisticated decor that would demonstrate and good taste and affirm their elegant lifestyles.

    The depth of color of the aubergine blue glaze is especially successful in making a striking contrast with the sumptuous Deck blue color, and is evidence of the detailed research carried out on colored glazes by its inspired creator. Every detail is perfectly mastered, the colors underscoring the ribbing of the body of the vase whose decor is of great elegance; the colors are of a brilliant richness that borders on perfection and attest to Théodore Deck’s extraordinary technical mastery. This vase shows his ability to create the most delightful effects using a palette of intense colors of an exceptional brightness that is set off by the purity of the lines of the vase’s composition.

    As a pioneering artist, Deck received much critical acclaim whenever he participated in exhibitions, particularly in 1878, when a commentator praised the admirable quality of his creations. His observations apply perfectly to the piece that we present here: “Monsieur Théodore Deck is certainly among our prolific artists and the one who most merits his success [...] Everywhere he exhibits, his beautiful faience attracts the attention of the crowd: the clay is so homogenous, the glazes so pure and so brilliant, and the decoration so striking; and the particular quality of the execution, the richness of the shapes, the originality of the ornamentation, the excellence of the enamelwork done au grand feu, enthralls, captivates and charms the enlightened aficionado (Louis Enault, Les Arts industriels..., Paris, 1877).


      
Deck won numerous exhibition awards, notably a medal at the International Exhibitions in London, in 1862, and in Paris, in 1867, and, yet again, a First Class medal and an honorary diploma at the Expositions de l’Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs in 1863 and 1865. He took over the direction of the Sèvres factory in 1887, the ultimate recognition of his exceptional talent.

    By virtue of its form and its extraordinary colors, this exceptional vase has always been highly valued by connoisseurs.

Bibliography:

Exposition Théodore Deck, Musée Cantini, Marseille, January-February, 1980.