Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.11438

Ignac FISCHER - Chinese style jardiniere, in earthenware and gilded bronze

This jardiniere, made in the 19th century, is signed FISCHER J. in Budapest (Hungary). Square in shape, it has a polychrome decoration of Chinese floral motifs. The chased, gilded and openwork bronze neck and base are joined by two stylized dragon-shaped holds, the foot adopting the shape of elephant head.

Ignác Fischer acquired his knowledge in his father's ceramics factory in Tata-Tóváros, Hungary, and then founded his own workshop in Pest in 1864. At first, he only decorated porcelains which were made in other factories but very soon, in 1867, he produced his own ceramics. Similar to Zsolnay, Fischer also specializes in the production of ornamental ceramics. He knows success in his country and in the world thanks to his dishes in majolica. But Fischer is also famous by the production of pieces decorated with Chinese motifs that he presents at the Hungarian Exhibition of 1885. This jardiniere is undoubtedly part of this series.
He wins several important awards. His son Emil took over the direction of the factory, but soon it became the property of the Zsolnay factory in Pécs, in southwestern Hungary.