Japanese art inspired the bag-like shape and fish and waterweed decoration of this vase. The designer, François-Eugène Rousseau, inherited a shop in Paris that sold glass and ceramics. He began to design glass around 1867. At this time he was one of the first to welcome Japanese influence both in his own pieces and work he commissioned from other artists. Most of his designs were made by Appert Frères at Clichy. This vase was shown in the International Exhibition, Paris, in 1878.
Physical description
Conceived as one of a pair (the other being 673A-1878), this vase is a loose flattened shape with blue glass applied to appear like running droplets of water and the witty, yet graceful decoration of fishes swimming under a clear surface on which is engraved floating water weeds. It is directly influenced by similar effects used in Japanese pottery.
Place of Origin
Paris, France (probably, made)
Date
1878 (made)
Artist/maker
Rousseau, François-Eugène, born 1827 - died 1891 (designer)
Appert Frères (probably, manufacturers)
Materials and Techniques
Glass, mould-blown, decorations engraved and enamelled, with applied relief
Marks and inscriptions
'E Rousseau '
Dimensions
Width: 17.3 cm, Height: 24.5 cm
Descriptive line
Vase, France (Paris), commissioned by François-Eugène Rousseau, probably made by Appert Frères at Clichy glassworks, 1878-1878
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Arwas, Room 8 labels etc; Aslin, E French Exbn Pieces
Labels and date
VASE
François Eugène Rousseau
(1827-1891)
Designer
Attributed to Appert Frères
Manufacturers
France (Clichy): about 1878
Glass with engraved and
enamelled decoration
673-1878
Rousseau inherited a shop in Paris selling ceramics and glass. He was particularly influenced by Japanese art when he began to design glass around 1867. Most of his designs were executed by Appert Frères at Clichy. The informal bag-like shape of this vase and the idea of fish swimming under the surface on which float water-weeds are all Japanese in inspiration. Shown in the international exhibition, Paris, 1878 [1987-2006]
VASE
673-1878
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900'
Rousseau inherited a shop in Paris selling fine ceramics and glass. He was particularly influenced by Japanese art when he began to design glass himself around 1867. Most of his designs were executed by Appert Frères at Clichy. Both the formal bag-like shape of this piece, and the idea of fish swimming under the surface on which float water weeds, are Japanese in inspiration. One of a pair, the vase was exhibited at the 1878 Paris International Exhibition: it was bought from Eugène Rousseau. [1987-2006]
Materials
Mould-blown glass
Techniques
Enamelled; Engraved
Subjects depicted
Fish
Categories
Glass
Collection code
CER
