Vienna, Austria, early 20th century, glazed earthenware of naturalistic form, a woman's head with lush, flowing, partially openwork hair. No stamps or markings visible, small cracks and wear, evidence of a few early repairs, possible later retouching. 13.5 x 9 inches; 34.3 x 22.8 cm.
The design was by Léon Noël Delagrange and manufactured by several producers of the period. A vessel intended for the use of flowers and plants, but also for fruit, the main element of the bowl is a young, very finely carved face of a woman surrounded by flowing hair. She has a narrow face, slightly protruding, with half-closed eyes, exuding a certain sensuality. The flowing hair, typical of Art Nouveau, frames the face in a curved and curly shape. The bowl, which is hollow inside and thus suitable for decorating plants, etc., tapers towards the back. Here, too, the flowing hair is the supporting decorative element.
Léon Delagrange was the son of a textile manufacturer. As a teenager, he studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Paris under Louis-Ernest Barrias and Charles Vital-Cornu. From 1894 to 1907, he exhibited at the Salons of the Société des Artistes Français in Paris, where he received an award in 1901. He made busts and chryselephantine statuettes in bronze and ivory. Some of his works, such as Le Page Royal and Templier, were handcrafted by the Parisian foundry Arthur Goldscheider, while others, such as Loie Fuller, were cast by the Fonderie Colin & Cie. As an artist, he was known under the name Léon Noël Delagrange.
Vienna, Austria, early 20th century, glazed earthenware of naturalistic form, a woman's head with lush, flowing, partially openwork hair. No stamps or markings visible, small cracks and wear, evidence of a few early repairs, possible later retouching. 13.5 x 9 inches; 34.3 x 22.8 cm.
The design was by Léon Noël Delagrange and manufactured by several producers of the period. A vessel intended for the use of flowers and plants, but also for fruit, the main element of the bowl is a young, very finely carved face of a woman surrounded by flowing hair. She has a narrow face, slightly protruding, with half-closed eyes, exuding a certain sensuality. The flowing hair, typical of Art Nouveau, frames the face in a curved and curly shape. The bowl, which is hollow inside and thus suitable for decorating plants, etc., tapers towards the back. Here, too, the flowing hair is the supporting decorative element.
Léon Delagrange was the son of a textile manufacturer. As a teenager, he studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Paris under Louis-Ernest Barrias and Charles Vital-Cornu. From 1894 to 1907, he exhibited at the Salons of the Société des Artistes Français in Paris, where he received an award in 1901. He made busts and chryselephantine statuettes in bronze and ivory. Some of his works, such as Le Page Royal and Templier, were handcrafted by the Parisian foundry Arthur Goldscheider, while others, such as Loie Fuller, were cast by the Fonderie Colin & Cie. As an artist, he was known under the name Léon Noël Delagrange.