Bouquet Of Marigolds By Didier Gardillou In An 18th-century Parisian Porcelain Vase

A unique piece combining a porcelain bouquet entirely handcrafted by Didier Gardillou, master ceramist, and an antique porcelain vase from the Manufacture À LA REINE

The vase: White background with polychrome decoration of gilded leaves, featuring a central medallion adorned with a bouquet of roses, accented by a garland of gilded foliage and gold fillets; the ensemble is framed by two bands with an orange background, each adorned with a garland of golden foliage. Gold fillets and scalloped edges adorn the body and borders.

FLORAL COMPOSITION: A "CORN NELLY"

The corn nellys, made entirely of hand-painted porcelain, are distinguished by their striking realism.
Petals in vibrant yellow-orange hues, delicately fringed with brown, recreate the natural appearance of the flowers.
Stems and foliage are made of patinated and painted metal.

Each flower is entirely hand-sculpted and hand-painted, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of Didier Gardillou, a master artisan and specialist in floral trompe-l’œil porcelain.

He is the only artist in the world to create flowers with such striking and unique realism.

Each creation is a one-of-a-kind piece, where the subtle blend of the antique and the contemporary works to perfection. The ensemble thus becomes an exceptional object, both a work of art and a contemporary decorative element.

This porcelain floral arrangement, paired with an antique vase, represents a perfect marriage between 18th-century refinement and Didier Gardillou’s contemporary artistic expression, thereby perpetuating the excellence of the French decorative arts.

These floral compositions are a worldwide exclusive, created exclusively for our Gallery. They are not available anywhere else, making each piece a rare and exceptional work of art.

Dimensions: Total height 27 cm - Diameter 16 cm,
Mark(s): Under the vase, a red stenciled “A” with a crown for the A LA REINE manufactory in PARIS,
Condition: PERFECT CONDITION,
Period: Vase: 18th century – LOUIS XVI,
Floral Arrangement: CONTEMPORARY.

Didier Gardillou’s Career:

Didier Gardillou, with a talent for the visual arts, found his definitive calling in the applied arts of ceramics following a visit to the Adrien Dubouché Museum.
1972–1977: Studied at the ENAD in Limoges under Jean-Jacques Prolongeau. He became Prolongeau’s student and collaborator in the studio and participated in the “1% architectural” projects and the production of shaped pieces (stoneware, earthenware, porcelain painting, etc.).
1979: Winner of the Chambre Syndicale des Céramistes et Ateliers d’Art de France award. First prize at the Salon des Ateliers d’Art for his entire body of work on display (sculptures in bisque porcelain and low-fire glazed porcelain)..
1981: Exhibition at the MAD in Paris for “Contemporary French Ceramics: Sources and Trends.” Porcelain and trompe-l’œil decorations.
1983: Gold Medal at the Foire de Paris. First prize in the creativity competition at the Artisans’ Fair (nine-piece sculpture). Exhibition in Tokyo in partnership with the Printemps department store, Ateliers d’Art de France, Air France, and the Paris Chamber of Commerce.
1982: Acquisitions by the Office of the President of the Republic for Denmark and Spain (choux terrine, shaped pieces).
In the early 1990s, Master Prolongeau joined his student in his studio to collaborate on porcelain decorations (vases and bowls).

Works in private collections in France, Switzerland, the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Italy… and in public collections at the museums in Sèvres and London.
Passionate about nature, flowers, and both antique and contemporary ceramics, he draws inspiration from illusionist ceramics and captivates us with his trompe l’œil creations, not to mention his magnificent flowers and floral arrangements.