BRONZE VASE IN THE SHAPE OF AN AMPHORA, SIGNED FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE
Bronze vase with aged golden patina in the shape of an amphora, standing on four hoofed feet and a four-lobed base. The body is decorated in bas-relief with harvest scenes on one side and the profile of Ariadne (Ariadre in Greek) on the other. The mascaron handles are topped by horns of plenty. The narrow neck is decorated with garlands of leaves and flowers. The bronze is signed F. Berbedienne (1810-1892) and F. Levillain. In Greek mythology, Ariadne, daughter of Minos and Pasiphae, is seduced by Theseus. When Theseus, facing certain death, must fight the Minotaur in the labyrinth, Ariadne gives him a way out by entrusting him with a thread to unwind along the way: "Ariadne's Thread". After killing the Minotaur and getting out of the labyrinth, Theseus proposes to Ariadne to marry him. But, having fallen in love with Ariadne's sister Phaedra, he finally abandoned Ariadne on the island of Naxos. She was saved by the god of wine, Dionysus, who married her and made her a goddess. Ferdinand Levillain (1837-1905) was a sculptor, medallist and medal engraver who drew his inspiration from antique models. He produced numerous bowls, vases and lighting fixtures. He was a pupil of the sculptor Jouffroy (1806-1882). He made his debut at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1861, where he exhibited until 1903. At the 1867 World's Fair, he was singled out for his bronze bowl in the Greek Revival style. It was from 1871 onwards that Levillain really came into his own, thanks to his association with the bronzemaker Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892). Levillain triumphed at the 1878 Exposition Universelle, where he won a gold medal for his antique-style work. He subsequently won a 1st class medal at the 1884 Salon for a bowl entitled "Les Eléments, les Mois et les Saisons", and a Silver medal at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. Several of Ferdainand Levillain's goblets and medals are held in the Musée d'Orsay collections. XIX° period, Circa: 1870 Dim: W:15cm, D:15cm, H:44cm. In good condition. The aged patina is intended by the artist.
