Objects of Art
Emile Galle
(born 1846 in France), was an ingenious glass artist and one of the key figures
of the Art Nouveau movement. My cousin M read every piece of information about him
and his art, and even went on a special trip to France in order to visit the
Musee d'Orsay
and
Musee de Ecole de Nancy, where she could study his major works from close
range. She could easily distinguish between an original Galle and the many cheap
or less cheap imitations of his works that you sometimes find in various antique
shops.
I remember that one time I considered buying a beautiful mushroom shaped Galle lamp,
and I asked her to come with me to see it in the shop. "But uncle" she said when
she took the lamp in her hands. "Please pay attention. Do you see this small star
at the end of the signature, after his name?" And then she lengthily explained to
me that after his death in 1904, his widow, and later on his son in law, continued
the manufacturing of Galle glassware following his designs. "This extra star was
introduced by his widow to indicate this. In fact, the factory continued production
until 1936 - thirty two years after his death" she said. "This lamp is a nice high
quality piece but it is not a truly genuine Galle, mind you".
A good few years have passed. M became a real expert and I didn't hesitate calling
her for a second opinion on all my glassware and art nouveau objects purchasing.
One early evening, I was not expecting anyone, the door bell rang. I opened the
door and found my cousin M behind it, holding a carefully packed object in her arms.
I looked at her face and it seemed to be tense and unhappy.
"Hello M" I said. "How are you?"
We sat in the salon. It was not hard to guess that her visit had to do with the parcel she was still embracing. "Presumably" I told myself, "it is something she had just bought and she wants my opinion on it. But why does she look so miserable?"
"Who is this baby that lies in your bosom, M?" I asked, attempting to raise a smile on her face.
"Do you like to see it?" she asked, slightly trembling.
"Of course!"
She unpacked the thing. "Wow" I said when I saw it "Wow".
It was a breathtaking Galle vase soufflé in light green and dark violet colors. I have seen many beautiful objects of art in my life, but this one was superb. I turned it around and upside down. I scanned it with my magnifying glass, inch by inch. It was immaculate.
"What is going on?" I asked M. "This is better than a dream".
"Uncle" she said, half crying and half laughing. "I don't know what happened to me. This thing costs a fortune. I simply cannot believe that I dare spend such a large sum of money. How can I afford it? it is far above my budget"
I turned serious. Clearly, a genuine Galle of this quality and condition should cost a fortune. But if it was overpriced...well. I, personally, would still prefer to be happy with my choice. I mean, real beauty has no price, right? But at least I can understand her hesitation. I tried, with the most careful and diplomatic style I can raise, to ask about the price. She answered directly. When I heard the figure I almost fell from the sofa. As far as I could judge, it was under priced. "What an amazing bargain - go for it!" I said.
Then, we sat there for hours and talked. We talked about the similarities between art collecting and hunting. We talked about the unavoidable risks you have to take in order to be able to seize an opportunity when it comes. We talked about the objective financial value of beautiful art objects produced by highly accomplished craftsmen and artists. After I helped her to repack and upholster her new baby, I called a taxi. At the door she looked extremely happy and confident. She said: "Thanks uncle, for being on my side. This is invaluable". "Ah" I answered. "Forget it. This is simply an excellent bargain. There is no room for mysticism here. You just took a very objective rational decision".
"No uncle", answered my niece M. "Take no offence, but it was your big impulsive Wow, and not all the rational arguments which followed, that cured my doubts. When I heard you I said to myself: "Yes! He would have taken the same decision if he were in my place!".
List of Vintage & Antique Art Objects
Vintage Deruta Maiolica Small Vase - Signed by Mancinelli
This small flower vase is a classical piece of hand made Italian Deruta ceramics with a colorful hand painted drawing of flowers and leaves in Art Nouveau style. It is a best quality product of the Mancinelli family pottery workshop which was, and still is, one of the important and innovative ceramic artists groups in the Deruta region. It definitely displays a great artistic talent and has beautiful shape, color and painting characteristics.
כלי לפרחים שעליו פרחים - אין מושלם מזה. קרמיקת מיוליקה, ארט נובו מתחילת המאה העשרים מבית היוצר של מנצ'ינלי Mancinelli, מעשה אמן של ציור וגלזורה. מתאים לפרחים נמוכים ועדינים, סגולים, תכולים או צהובים לפי טעמכם.
Height: 10.5 cm - 4.1 in
Width: 12.5 cm - 4.9 in
Diameter of mouth: 10 cm - 3.9 in
Thickness: 4 mm approx
Technology: Majolica - hand painted earthenware pottery which is tin glazed
Origin: Italy, Deruta region
Manufacturing: The Mancinelli ceramics workshop - signed by the artist
Age: more than 100 years old (late 19th or early 20th century).
Our ref #: O1002/POR089 - More Details on Vintage Maiolica Flower Vase by Mancinelli
Antique Chinese Soapstone Inkwell - 19th Century
A beautiful elaborated base for holding brushes and an inkwell. Carved in soapstone. Featuring a monkey and two birds. The monkey returns from heaven with bread-fruit for the birds. 19th Century.
קסת דיו סינית - עשויה סואפסטון - דיותה עם מיכל לדיו ומעמד למכחולים. גילוף של שתי ציפורים האוכלות מפרי
גן עדן שהביא הקוף. המאה ה-19.
Height: 10 cm - 4 in
Width: 5.5 cm - 2.2 in
Length: 21.5 cm - 8.5 in
Technology: Carved in soapstone
Origin: China
Age: more than 150 years old (19th century).
Our ref #: O1104_JAD006 - Antique Chinese Soapstone Inkwell - 19th Century
Antique Chinese Bronze Incense Holder - Chien Lung
A rectangular bronze container with 4 legs (fang ding) and two handles opposite each other + original wooden lid with jade knob + wooden base with 4 legs. Vessel decorated with Taotie masks. Late 18th Century. Artist signature inside the container.
כלי לקטורת - ברונזה סינית המאה ה-18. שיאן-לונג. מכסה מעץ מגולף וכפתור מאבן
ירוקה. בסיס מעץ מגולף עם 4 רגליים. הכלי מקושט
במסכות טאו-טייה Taotie. חתימת האמן
בדופן הפנימית של מיכל הקטורת.
Height: 20 cm - 7.8 in
Width: 8 cm - 3.1 in
Length: 10 cm - 3.9 in
Technology: Bronze, Black Wood, Green Jade, Hand Crafted
Origin: China
Manufacturing: Hand crafted - signed by the artist
Age: more than 200 years old (late 18th or early 19th century).
Our ref #: O1100_BR003 - Antique Chinese Bronze Incense Holder - Chien Lung - Late 18th Century
Antique French "Single Flower" Glass Vase
Beautiful collectible piece in Art Nouveau style. The base of the vase is in a pear-like shape with 3 mottled flat surfaces. The glass is made in Pate de Verre technique with pewter overlay of gentle leaves and flowers. Late 19th / early 20 century.
אגרטל זכוכית עתיק - צרפתי.
כלי יפיפה מעוצב בסגנון ארט נובו. מתאים ל"פרח יחיד". גוף האגרטל דמוי אגס עם 3 פאות. פני האגרטל מנומרים, עשויים בטכניקת Pate de Verre עם תבליט עדין של
עלים ופרחים מפיוטר. סוף המאה ה-19 / ראשית המאה ה-20.
Height: 30 cm - 12 in
Width of base: 9 cm - 3.5 in
Technology: Hand pPate de Verre glass with pewter overlay
Origin: France
Manufacturing: Hand crafted
Age: more than 100 years old (late 19th or early 20th century).
Our ref #: O1118_GLS008 - Antique French Single Flower Glass Vase - Art Nouveau - Late 19th Century
Antique Chinese Kangxi Blue and White Vase
Decorated with mountainous sea shore landscape with trees and pomegranates in the foreground, a pavilion, a small temple and 3 figures praying. The high mountains are in the background. A calligraphy of a poem / prayer is displayed on the back side of the vase surface. 17th century.
אגרטל קאנגסי Kangxi סיני עתיק. כחול לבן - מעוטר בנוף חוף הים הררי ומיוער עם עצים ורימונים בחזית, ביתן, מקדש קטן ו-3 דמויות מתפללות. ברקע, ההרים הגבוהים. קליגרפיה של שיר / תפילה מוצגת בצד האחורי של
פני האגרטל. המאה ה-17.
Height: 26 cm - 11 in
Width of base: 9 cm - 3.5 in
Technology: Hand painted
Origin: China
Manufacturing: Hand crafted
Age: 17th century.
Our ref #: O1124 POR008 - Antique Chinese Kangxi Blue and White Vase - 17th century
Pair of Antique Chinese Storage Jars
A pair of hand painted blue and white porcelain "Ginger Jars" with beautiful country scene design. This type of quite heavy stoneware jars was used for food storage. 18th century.
כלי אחסון סיניים עתיקים - זוג צנצנות אחסון מזון גדולות (Ginger Jars) מפורצלן
stoneware מסיבי. ציור יד יפיפה בכחול-לבן של סצנת טירה כפרית מוקפת עצים על רקע
הרים, נהר וספינת דייגים. המאה ה 18.
Height: 21.5 cm -
8.5 in
Width: 21.5 cm - 8.5 in
Technology: Hand painted
Origin: China
Manufacturing: Hand crafted
Age: 18th century.
Our ref #: O1132 POR068 - Pair of Antique Chinese Porcelain Storage Jars - 18th century
***
Collectible Art Objects