Until the 24th of July 2012, Expertissim offers for sale a stoneware Africanist vase by Charles Catteau. During the twenties, technical virtuosity dominated ceramics: the potter intervened personally in all steps

of the process of creation, from the drawing to the enameling.  The goal was indeed to go back to a noble craft, too often left for machines in the 19th

century. Kéramis Africanist vase by Ch. Catteau The Art Deco style of this vase appears after the excess of the Art Nouveau, (...) Read more

  The Lion and the Snake is an emblematic work in the Romantic sculpture genre. This is the most famous sculpture by Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875), whose plaster was unveiled at the

Salon of 1833. It was commissioned by King Louis Philippe in 1836 to adorn the Tuileries Garden. It was understood during its time as an allegory of the French political

situation in July 1830: the roaring lion, symbol of power and nobility, crushing the treacherous snake, a sedition image. The profound (...) Read more

  Demeter Chiparus (1886-1947) was a Romanian-born sculptor.  He was trained in Raffaello Romanelli’s studio in Italy then ventured to Paris to try the Ecole des Beaux Arts. He produced his

first sculptures around 1912 in a realistic style and first exhibited at the Salon of 1914. He produced many sculptures of human figures inspired by Russian and Parisian ballet dancers

as well as animal sculptures. The panther that we present is a proof in babbitt metal with green patina atop a (...) Read more

In the 18th century, China had its last dynasty of emperors, the Qing, which lasted from 1644 to 1911 (China became a Republic afterwards). Thus began the golden age of

porcelain. First off, new techniques allowed the creation of carmine pink enamel. Furthermore a greater precision was used with decorative finishes. These technical advances had a significant impact : the West

started to become interested in Chinese porcelain which had become a refined art. China started to export its goods, notably porcelain (...) Read more

Many innovations began in the early 20th Century such as electricity allowing people to stay up later at night, and large cruise liners reducing Europe and United States travel to

one week. The French way of life evolved and cruise ships were the first proof. They experimented with all the new features, style and decor and amongst one another. Art Deco

was an artistic period that appeared in Europe at the end of the WWI.  The expression "art decorative" can have different (...) Read more