Pair Of Bronze Vases – Alban Chambon, 1900

A pair of monumental gilded bronze vases with a brown patina, resting on marble bases. With a total height of 245 cm (vases only: 80 cm) and a diameter of 90 cm, this spectacular set was designed by the Belgian architect and interior designer Alban Chambon (1847–1928) and produced by the Compagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles in 1900.

Inspired by Japanese art, the richly sculpted decoration combines floral motifs, cranes, geishas, and four majestic dragons that form the transition between the base and the handles. The finesse of the craftsmanship and the grandeur of the proportions perfectly illustrate the eclectic and refined taste of the Belle Époque.

These vases were specially designed to adorn the Théâtre de la Bourse in Brussels. During the 1900 World’s Fair, they were temporarily moved to be displayed to the public. During this period, a fire completely destroyed the theater; these two vases are among the few items to have survived the disaster.

Unique pieces of great historical and decorative value, they bear witness to the genius of Alban Chambon, a major figure in Belgian architecture and the decorative arts, whose creations have left their mark on numerous European theaters, hotels, and palaces.