Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.16434

Maison MARNYHAC, Satzuma Planter mounted on bronze base

The second half of the 19th century was characterised by an eclecticism of sources of inspiration ; there was renewed interest in the Far East with the opening up of Japanese markets to the western world from 1868. The trend towards Japanese and Chinese styles can be seen in contemporary creations that integrated Japanese vocabulary into their decors to correspond with the trends at the time. Made by maison Marnyhac, this bronze garden feature is a perfect example of this trend towards an “oriental style”.

The bottom of the vase, resting on three fogs, is made up of bamboo stems, and supports two handles in the shape of dragons. The quality of the chiseling done on the bronze gives an extremely naturalistic aspect to the vegetal elements and gives it a very elegant look. Following the tendency of the period to increase the amount of Japanese items made with bronze from western manufacturers, the vase is made by the Statzuma factory, situated on Kyushu Island in Japan and has been well known since the end of the 18th century for its elegant and delicate cracked surfaces.

The maison Marnyhac is the commercial name for the company of marbles and artistic bronze, set up on avenue de l'opera and then rue de la Paix at the end of the 19th century. It specialised in the production of luxury objects and took part in the Universal Exhibition of 1878 where it won a medal and competed with the most famous companies, like Barbedienne. As was said by commentators at the Exhibition of 1878 “Paris has two Barbedienne's, two manufacturers of art that cannot be compared to any others throughout the rest of Europe”. (les Chefs d'oeuvre d'art à l'Exposition Universelle de 1878, dir. Emile de Bergerat, Paris, L. Baschet, 1878, p, 188).