Between 1877 and 1884
Blown and hot-worked glass, polychrome enamel decoration, heightened with gilding
Dimensions not specified
Nagoya - Daiichi Museum of Art (Japan)
© Daiichi Museum of Art
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Acquired by the museum in April 2001.
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Large centerpiece or tiered vase, in translucent blue blown glass, with polychrome enamel decoration, metallic effects, and gilded highlights. The ensemble consists of several elements arranged on a vertical axis: a large quadrupedal cup at the bottom, an elongated and richly worked central shaft, punctuated with bulges and small applications, then a second, smaller cup at the top, supported by a knot-shaped element.
Almost every part is subject to extensive hot-working: the base of the lower cup, the edges of both cups, the numerous applications and "tears" of glass that seem to flow down their sides, as well as the various elements of the central shaft.
The surface is adorned with a rich polychrome enamel decoration of Far Eastern inspiration, combining flowers, leafy branches, butterflies, fans, and ribbons. Some motifs evoke Japanese fabrics and textile ornaments. The gilded highlights and metallic effects further emphasize the preciousness of the ensemble.
Through its exceptional formal complexity, the work demonstrates the freedom with which Auguste Jean experimented with the possibilities of blown glass and hot-working. A true architectural vertical construction, this work is unique in Auguste Jean's production: no other known vase by him seems to combine such a succession of elements and receptacles, making it a particularly rare and remarkable piece in his glasswork.
