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Vase
Designed by: Emile Gallé (French, 1846–1904)
French (Nancy)
dated 1891
Medium/Technique
Cased and carved glass
Dimensions
H: 16.5 cm (6 1/2in.); W: 15.9 cm (6 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Mildred Kennedy
Accession Number53.1009
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsGlass
Gallé is the unrivaled master of French art glass, perfecting the techniques of acid etching and wheel-carving. By the 1880s he was profoundly influenced by Japanese art, especially the practice of juxtaposing image and poetry. This vase is one of a series of verreries parlantes (speaking glasses) that bear poetic inscriptions taken from leading authors of the time. Here, the dark symbolism of the imagery is heightened by the melancholy phrase.
DescriptionOval vase with flattened sides, contracting at rim. Dark brown with areas of white and turquoise. Frog and beetle on one surface with bands inscribed: "Echappez vous des ombres immobiles/Lecompte de Lisle"; spray of daisies (?) opposite.
Signed
On bottom, incised: "Nanceiis comp et fecit Emile Galle. Epreuve definitive 1891" (please refer to accession card for specific mark).
Marks
On bottom, incised: "Nanceiis comp et fecit Emile Galle. Epreuve definitive 1891" (please refer to accession card for specific mark).
Also incised 'E / [Cross of Lorraine] / G' in vertical "Japanese" arrangement.
Also incised 'E / [Cross of Lorraine] / G' in vertical "Japanese" arrangement.
InscriptionsInscribed: "échappez-vous des ombres immobiles" (Escape from the still shadows)
ProvenancePossibly after 1904, with George Golding Kennedy (b. 1841 - d. 1918), Milton, MA [see note 1]. By 1942, with his daughter, Mildred Kennedy (b. 1877 - d. 1961), Concord MA; 1953, gift of Mildred Kennedy. (Accession date: June 16, 1953)
NOTES:
[1] See letter from Mildred Kennedy, May 22, 1942, in MFA curatorial file, citing a newspaper clipping of December 6, 1904 which was placed inside the vase by her father. Mildred Kennedy implies in this letter that her father owned the vase which she later inherited.
NOTES:
[1] See letter from Mildred Kennedy, May 22, 1942, in MFA curatorial file, citing a newspaper clipping of December 6, 1904 which was placed inside the vase by her father. Mildred Kennedy implies in this letter that her father owned the vase which she later inherited.