Lot: 108

Emile Gallé, Nancy
Marqueterie parlante vase with a quote from Victor Hugo's 'Melancholia' exhibited at the Paris World Fair 1900

H. 17.4 cm (including lid: H. 20 cm). Cased glass, green, clear and amber, dark blue inclusions and air bubbles (Patinage). Elaborate marqueterie with polychromatic engraved applications. Cowslips in front of a wood. Above the foot a quotation from the poem 'Melancholia' extract from Victor Hugos 'Les Contemplations': "o forêts, bois profonds, solitudes, asiles..." (engraved). Signed: Gallé (engraved). Inscribed: Expo 1900 (engraved). Gilded silver mounting (stamped: Head of Minerva).

The vase has been trimmed.

>> Literature

Hammer Price: 6,000 €

171A - Art Nouveau - Art Deco
14. November 2023 at 3:00 PM CET

Literature:

Important testimony of Emile Gallé's symbolism. As a botanist, he was aware of the relevance and effect of cowslip that had been already known to Hildegard von Bingen as a remedy against melancholia.