Gallic Grandeur: Geo Martel's Polychrome Chinoiserie Faience Vases

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Gallic Grandeur: Geo Martel's Polychrome Chinoiserie Faience Vases

Presenting a beautiful pair of large French Faience Vases and Covers by … Read more Gallic Grandeur: Geo Martel's Polychrome Chinoiserie Faience Vases

Presenting a beautiful pair of large French Faience Vases and Covers by the esteemed manufacturer Geo Martel, dating from circa 1907. These pieces are a vibrant example of the enduring Chinoiserie style, executed with a rich, multicolored palette.

Dimensions: 13 1/2 inches high x 6 inches wide

Condition: Good antique condition. There is a chip to the top side of one cover on the reverse side; it is not visible from the front.

Design and Detail:

The vases feature a striking octagonal, fluted form and are topped with fitted covers, each surmounted by a dark blue figurative bird finial. The decoration, applied to each panel, consists of a Chinoiserie scene: a colorful bird perched on a flowering tree branch that springs from blue, stylized rockwork.

The various registers of the vases are accented with dense, repeating borders:

The shoulder is decorated with panels of green leaves set against a deep blue scroll band.

The cover and the stepped foot feature a harmonious band of repeating green leaves.

The decoration is highly vibrant, utilizing blues, greens, and striking iron-reds characteristic of high-quality French faience intended to mimic the most luxurious Asian porcelain.

Historical Context: Revival and Innovation at Geo Martel

This pair of vases was produced by the Geo Martel factory in Desvres, France, which was highly influential in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Geo Martel (1874-1941) was known for reviving and adapting historical ceramic styles, particularly those of Rouen and Delft, but often injecting them with a bold, contemporary vibrancy.

This set is a prime example of the factory's façon de Delft (Delft-style) work, though executed in a rich polychrome palette rather than the traditional blue and white. The marking on the base, a red faux ARK Delft mark, is deliberately used to evoke the legacy of the most famous Dutch Delftware factory (De Porceleyne Fles or The Royal Delft Factory, whose mark often included the "APK" initials). This was a common practice among Desvres manufacturers seeking to associate their wares with historical excellence. These spectacular vases represent the height of French ceramic artistry during the Belle Époque era.

Reference:

L'Heritage de Delft Desvres: Les Faience de Geo Martel, Claire Dumortier, Patrick Habets & Rita Martel Euzet, Page 222-227 (Illustrates and discusses pieces from this period and style by Geo Martel).

(Ref: VM98705NV) See less