"japonisme" Soliflore Vase Attr. To Christofle, France, Circa 1880

Large Japanese-inspired soliflore vase in crystal and silver and gilded bronze. Made of a flared cup topped with a cornet vase, al in crystal engraved with a floral decoration with borders encircled by a golden net. The whole is set in a silver-plated and gilded bronze frame imitating bamboo, resting on six pine cone-shaped feet.

This Japanese-style bamboo-shaped mount is characteristic of the work of Maison Christofle, which collaborated in the second half of the 19th century in particular with the designers Émile Reiber and Édouard Lièvre, who provided it with models inspired by China and Japan.

Charles Christofle (1805-1863), began his career by managing a jewelry firm and a few years later he set up his own business : the Christofle silversmith company. After his success at the Paris Products of Industry Exhibition of 1839, he bought the patents of gold and silver-plating by electrolysis from both Ruolz and Elkington, which enabled him again to win the gold medal at the 1844 Products of Industry Exhibition. He was named « silver-smith to the royal family » and his success was confirmed during the Second Empire when he was regularly awarded prizes at the Universal Exhibitions. His son Paul (1838-1907) and his nephew Henri Bouilhet (1830-1910) took over the business after his death.