Clément Massier

Diatom Colony C0220

Inventory Number
C0220Size
15 1/8" H x 5 1/4" WMaterial
EarthenwarePeriod
Art NouveauCountry of Origin
FranceYear Made
c1899Status
AvailableCondition
Perfect

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Description

Made under the artistic directorship of Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer, this vase shows how skillfully Massier could walk the fine line between representational and abstract decoration. The triangular lozenges that constitute the allover décor are actually diatoms, a type of unicellular algae. Both Lévy-Dhurmer and Massier were fascinated with the decorative qualities of microscopic marine organisms, images of which were widespread in fin de siécle Europe.