Hector Guimard, Executed by Gilardoni et Brault (Metz and Choisy-le-Roi). Guimard, the greatest exponent of art nouveau style in French architecture, also designed furniture and decorative objects. Among these were jardinières, meant to contain exotic potted plants. This example vividly displays Guimard’s famed whiplash motif, inspired by the tensile strength of plant forms. Unusually, the swirling curvilinear body rests on six paw-like feet, a feature not seen in other Guimard jardinières in either ceramic or cast iron. Decorated with an aubergine and celery glaze, this piece is related to a ceramic vase bearing the same colors designed by Guimard in 1897 for the Castel Béranger, also executed by Gilardoni et Brault. That vase is in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.