Art Nouveau-style Figurative Terracotta Vase By Auguste Ledru And Friedrich Goldscheider

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Art Nouveau-style Figurative Terracotta Vase By Auguste Ledru And Friedrich Goldscheider

Artist: Friedrich Goldscheider, Auguste Ledru

An important figurative vase from the Art Nouveau period, crafted in terracotta by the French sculptor Auguste Ledru and produced by the prestigious Austrian manufacturer Friedrich Goldscheider.

This remarkable piece is distinguished by its generously rounded body and its flared neck with an asymmetrical curve, characteristic of organic-style works from the late nineteenth century.

The central element of the composition is a female figure in the round, depicting a completely nude nymph.

The young woman’s body stretches and arches with infinite grace along the upper rim of the neck, thus forming the vase’s functional and sculptural handle.

The sensual pose, with her arm folded behind her head and her serene facial features, attests to a perfect mastery of anatomy and movement.

On the body of the vase, a naturalistic design rendered in bas-relief emerges from a deliberately textured and raw material.

On one side, one can see the delicate relief of a dragonfly with outstretched wings, a symbol of lightness and transience.

On the opposite side, a large bat spreads its membranous wings, introducing a more mysterious iconography linked to symbolism and the nocturnal world.

These two animal motifs are emblematic of the Art Nouveau decorative repertoire, which draws its inspiration from flora and fauna.

The sculptor Auguste Ledru (1860–1902) was a major artist of this period, particularly renowned for his poetic and allegorical depictions of women.

His works celebrate the fusion of the human body and nature, an aesthetic ideal that he brilliantly transposed into the decorative arts.

The piece was produced by the renowned Viennese manufacturer Friedrich Goldscheider, founded in 1885 and recognized worldwide for the quality of its ceramics and bronzes.

The combination of Ledru’s artistic talent and Goldscheider’s craftsmanship has given rise to works of art that are highly sought after by collectors.

On the base of the vase, one finds the artist Auguste Ledru’s handwritten signature incised into the clay, as well as the manufacturer’s stamp.

The original markings also include the model and inventory numbers stamped in relief, notably the number 0296, as well as the regulatory reproduction notices.

In terms of condition, this authentic piece shows signs of wear that should be noted by prospective buyers.

An earlier restoration is visible and requires attention at the top of the female figure’s torso, where fracture lines run across the neck and shoulder.

There is also a superficial chip around the rim of the circular terracotta base, which does not affect the overall stability of the object.

The vase is large in scale, measuring 31 cm in height, 25 cm at its widest point, and 21 cm in depth.

This work constitutes a valuable historical testament to the cross-border artistic collaboration between French sculpture and Austrian art publishing at the turn of the century.

It will enrich a collection dedicated to Art Nouveau ceramics or serve as a centerpiece in a refined interior.

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