Clément Massier

Cattails with Snake C0219

Inventory Number
C0219Size
15 1/2" H x 8 1/4" W x 6 3/4"DMaterial
Luster-glazed EarthenwarePeriod
Art NouveauCountry of Origin
FranceYear Made
1900Status
availableCondition
Minor Conservation

Description

With its gently swelling cylindrical form that culminates in a square rim, this vase testifies to Massier's ingenuity with body shapes. It also shows how deftly he combined painterly and sculptural elements within a décor. The finely painted cattails suggest the snake's natural habitat, while the applied creatures have the appearance of decorative arabesques rather than naturalistically modeled animals. The bright luster glaze, which streaks the body, contributes to the tension between illusionism and abstraction that characterizes much of Massier's finest work. Marks: Clement Massier, Golfe-Juan, AM [impressed with overlaid glaze]