Remember, November 30, 2010, we announced a porcelain vase Qianlong period was within the top 10 of the world's most expensive art pieces with a selling price before buyer premium of £43 M . Rebound, it is only recently that the sale found its final conclusion and the stratospheric price obtained by the porcelain has been lowered.

 

November 11, 2010, Bainbridges, auction house near London, sold a porcelain vase reticulated double walled for £43 million and had therefore brought a work of art in the top 10 the most expensive world among paintings and sculptures more familiar to this kind of price.

 

The vase bears a medallion on each side with different fish swimming in imaginery water and on the base is the imperial seal of the Emperor. In view of these factors it is likely that this porcelain was created for the Summer Palace or the Forbidden City.

Probably stolen after the sacking of the Summer Palace by British troops after the Second Opium War in 1860, he finished on top of a wardrobe. (See our newsletter "World record for a Qianlong's vase")

 

Bidders were numerous and many merchants were active around £25 million.

 

The vase was ultimately sold to a private buyer from China.

 

As it sometimes happens, the buyer refused to pay his purchase arguing that the buyer premium was too high.

 

Despite many efforts, Bainbridges found himself unable to recover its debt with a vase difficult to negotiate with regard to advertising due to its price.

 

In agreement with the seller, Bainbridges assisted from another auction house began looking for another buyer through a private treaty sale.

 

It is only very recently that our china vase found a buyer. The the final selling price was not disclosed but rumor speaks of £25 to £30 million, nearly 50% less than the initial hammer price.

 

A happy ending to an extraordinary object but it also mark the end of a myth, a porcelain among the most expensive works of art in the world. Hopefully this is only a postponement.

 

To avoid this kind of disappointment, auctioneers, we work with; request from prospective purchasers of this type of work a deposit at least equal to the estimate.

 

Cédric Henon, fine art specialist

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France had previously many earthenware factories known throughout Europe such as Nevers, Strasbourg, Marseille or Moustier.

But the oldest of them is Rouen showcase for the French way of life from the Renaissance to the mid-nineteenth century.

 

It is in the sixteenth century that the first French faience emerges with Masséot Abaquesne. This artist, native from Rouen is entrusted with important commands such as the pavements of Ecouen Castle between 1542 and 1559. Then he produced about 5000 apothecary jars on the model of Italian albarello for Pierre Dubosc in 1545.

 

Rouen, grand feu, vers 1710, courtesy of Piasa

 

 

The history of Rouen then remains unknown for a century, until a privilege of the Conseil d'Etat for the manufacture of earthenware in 1644. The operation is entrusted to Poterat who becomes the owner. This is the beginning of a greater prosperity for the potter center which will count 18 factories at its peak and employ more than 1,200 workers. The last oven will be turned off in 1847.

 

Most of the pieces in Rouen faience are shaped like silverware.

 

At first, the pieces are decorated with blue and white pelmets which become a hallmark of the city. These pelmets are made with cobalt blue and enhance with red iron applied using the technique of Armenian bowl.

 

Gradually the scenery will be inspired by the Far East, very fashionable in the late seventeenth century. This is when Chinese characters or the branches of prunus appear in the middle of a fine grid in red and valances.

 

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Painter recognized by fans and collectors of paintings, but unknown to the general public, Eugène Boudin (1824-1898) captivates and enchants with his seaside skies.

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The frames, decorative instrument, change over the centuries. To understand and recognize its style, it is interesting to browse its history.

Originally, simple built of wood, the frame becomes a work of art in itself that combines delicacy with the work of the sculpture and gilding.

 

In the seventeenth century, the decorative work of the frame is the apotheosis of its art. Masters sculptors allow themselves to ingenuity and opulence. The decorations are embellished with many games of funds. It is a knowledge which gilders engrave coatings (covering wood) with irons says "to repair." Under the reign of Louis XIV, the decoration fashion games are called crazy, barley grain, and honeycomb or cat claws.

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