E. Lachenal

Suspension Orientalisante, attributed to E. Lachenal, France, Circa 1890 Glazed ceramic, Bronze, Brass Height: 70 cm; Diameter: 30 cm Glazed ceramic pendant with flared rim highlighted by a frieze of stylized foliage, decorated on the body with Arabic characters on a light blue background, alternating with interlacing cartouches on a dark blue background, and with white and blue interlacing on the underside ending in a point. Illuminated by a single light, it is suspended by three chains with diamond-shaped links in patinated bronze, ending in brass spheres. Biography Edmond Lachenal (1855-1948) was a French potter trained in Théodore Deck's workshop from the age of 15. At the Vienna World's Fair in 1873, Lachenal's work as a decorator for Deck received an honorable mention. Following this award, he became director of Deck's decoration workshop. In 1889, he received his first gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition for his work on earthenware in the style of Théodore Deck. These works use brilliant, polychrome enamels, a characteristic of his work that would remain constant throughout his career. As early as 1894, Lachenal began casting stoneware works by sculptors in matte glazes. His best-known collaboration was with Swedish-born sculptor Agnès de Frumerie (1869-1937). She created symbolist figurative sculptures and vase decorations. Their collaboration continued until at least 1907. Lachenal also produced earthenware editions of Hector Guimard's vases in the same organic style as the Paris metro entrances in 1902.