VASE

Between 1877 and 1881

Blown and hot-worked glass

H. 48.5 cm; W. 25 cm; D. 28.5 cm

Weight 6.1 kg

Paris - Musée des Arts et Métiers I CNAM (Inv. No. 09670-0000-)

© Musée des Arts et Métiers - CNAM I Pascal Faligot

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Shortly before or in 1881, acquired by the Musée des Arts et Métiers for 50 francs from Charles Roethlisberger, a partner of Auguste Jean.

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Large tripod pear-shaped vase over 60 cm in height, made of translucent blown glass with a metallic smoky-green hue. It features a slightly flared neck and is distinguished by the absence of painted enamel decoration, favoring remarkable hot-worked glass, which gives the piece a deeply organic and sculptural character. The ornamental richness of the piece thus relies exclusively on the free-form manipulation of the material, whose relief and metallic effects contribute fully to the composition.

The body is animated by prominent reliefs of glass added and worked with tongs, evoking the movement of waves and foam. This interplay of material extends to the neck and rim, from which fine drops, resembling tears, seem to flow.

With its exceptional dimensions, the absence of any painted decoration, and the freedom of execution in its hot-worked ornamentation, this vase testifies to an approach that was particularly bold and modern for the time. Its acquisition in 1881, during Auguste Jean’s lifetime, directly from his partner for the collections of the Musée des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), highlights the interest shown in this creation from the moment it was made.