Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Egyptian Revival Motifs, Later 20th Century

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Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Egyptian Revival Motifs, Late-20th Century

A dramatic pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel vases decorated … Read more Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Egyptian Revival Motifs, Late-20th Century

A dramatic pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel vases decorated in a vibrant polychrome palette on a white ground. Each vase features stylized pharaonic mask-like faces integrated into a rhythmic field of lotus and flame motifs, merging traditional cloisonné craftsmanship with Egyptian Revival imagery and Art Deco geometry.

Executed with bold symmetry and strong color—including turquoise, cobalt, red, purple, green, and orange—the design reflects the global eclecticism of the 20th century, when Chinese export workshops reinterpreted traditional techniques for Western decorative markets. The cross-cultural vocabulary resonates with the later work of French designer Fabienne Jouvin, known for reinventing cloisonné with unexpected international motifs.

Design Influences:

Chinese Tradition: The cloisonné technique, with copper wires forming compartments filled with vitreous enamel, was perfected in Beijing workshops.

Egyptian Revival: Mask motifs referencing pharaonic imagery, reflecting the wave of “Egyptomania” following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

Art Deco: Bold geometry, stylized forms, and symmetry, translating revival imagery into a modernist idiom.

Later Resonance: The use of unexpected global motifs within cloisonné parallels the work of contemporary French designer Fabienne Jouvin, known for reinterpreting traditional enameling with eclectic international patterns.

Dimensions: 15.5" high × 7.5" diameter each.
6" Diameter base/opening 5.75" Diameter
Condition: Excellent overall; minor surface wear consistent with age. See less