Posted 12 years ago
dasullywon
(62 items)
I just got this one, from an ebay auction that many were watching. It was listed as "Rare Antique French Cameo Egyptian Revival Nile Vase Eugene Rousseau", and the seller admitted that the attribution (ER) was a guess. I of course didn't believe that, so I did some deep digging. What I found was the last photo, which is of a signed Legras piece that is exactly the same height (7-1/8"). So, using the shape/color/design method I would say this vase was made by Charles Legras about 1922. The color is slightly different than the photos showed, probably because they used a black background. I think white really brings out the true colors (these are very close) and that is what I always use; except for clear-crystal which does better with black.
Does anyone have a different hypothesis? (about the attribution)
I think you're right.
Did you get this Dasullywon? If so congrats! I love the birds
What does the inscription say around the base? Very interesting piece.
something about
"our boat fleeing the night. "
I wonder if it has to do with this song
http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=13411
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYvmdkNG4N8
Yes, I did get this one (my photos) so thanks GSO and BELLIN68. The inscription says “Au milieu notre barque fuit ... ! Le Nil” which translates to “In the Middle our boat fled...! The Nile.” (copied from the ad, not my translation). This contributes to my dating of 1922 - the year King Tut's tomb was discovered. Thanks cogito.
I think it's ten years earlier. look at the lyrics to that song.. they'd been discovering things out of the tombs from the late 1800's. it was already very very popular by the time king tuts tomb was discovered.
I think you nailed it, GSO. Le Nil is on the vase (title of the song) and the last line of the first verse is the body of the inscription. You are good! The song was written for the (middle) Egyptian craze of the mid 1800's, and revived for King Tut mania in the 1920's. And being a French song that seals it. Thanks so much. :)
notice how the part about the fleeing boat is given .....! and then the words le nil as if it's giving credit to the quote. Those words exactly are in the song "le nil"
Yes it might be earlier too, as you say.
oops I didn't see you'd already replied. LOL
where did you get the date that song was written. I can't find it. I see the authors birth and death but not the date he wrote the song.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xavier_Leroux
he was actively writing from the late 1890's to the teens. I really think this vase was directly related to the recording from youtube. it probably was written in 1911 or 1912. maybe a little earlier than that and I am guessing that some glass artist was inspired by it to make this piece.
I extrapolated, figuring it coincided with the Victorian Egyptian revival of the middle of the 19th century. Yes, an educated guess. Popular songs are written about the subjects of the day; a fact that hasn't changed no matter what era you explore. We are also familiar with the practice of putting song lyrics on objects of value, or even a T-shirt. This is a pretty good T-shirt. :-)
Yes, I knew you'd beat me to it. Good work, and thanks again!
yup, I think it is a spectacular piece and the music as a background to it only gives it more depth. it takes you right back to the salon of the teens.
So did you win this auction is this piece yours?
Yes, I now own it and it is on my coffee table where I can see it well.
I think the lyrics are special too, and it is an echo of an echo; lyrically, poetically and historically. I think I'll keep this one for awhile. Thanks!
congrats! very nice buy! :) I love it.
Beautiful...:-)