Precious and original chinoiserie-decorated lobed papier-mâché basket; the oval shape with wavy rim is elegant and pleasing; inside, a skilful artist and painter has meticulously and skilfully hand-painted beautiful and graceful orchids, taking care of the entire work down to the smallest detail. The rim of the basket is finished in pure gold. The basket was made between 1865 and 1870 on the outskirts of Paris, in a workshop specialising in this type of workmanship. The chinoiserie style, during the reign of Napoleon III (1852-1870), had an exceptional development in both objects, furniture and textiles, reflecting and well representing the socio-cultural and economic period that France was then experiencing. The term 'chinoiserie', derived from the French word 'chinois', is a Western style that arose between the 17th and 18th centuries and indicates that chinoiserie did not come directly from Asia, but was an imaginative European interpretation of Asian culture; this style developed particularly in the decorative arts, architecture, literature, theatre and music; France was the most prolific European nation in the production of chinoiserie. The 'papier-maché' technique (mixture of paper and natural glues) was known in China as early as 200 BC. (Han dynasty), later spreading all over the East; papier-mâché was used to make helmets, shields, ceremonial masks, boxes and other decorative objects; it appeared in Europe around 1725, and soon this technique spread to various European countries for the production of valuable artistic and ornamental works; In fact, in no other material have so many decorative techniques been seen and are being applied as in this one, where lacquering, patination, gilding and the most refined paintings find their highest expression; papier-mâché had its greatest use from the 16th to the 20th century, especially in France and Russia. Orchids (Cymbidium) convey a sense of elegance, refinement and sensuality, conferred by the colours and the particular beauty of the flowers. In the language of flowers, therefore, the orchid is a symbol of beauty, elegance, reverence, seduction, love and eroticism. Width 35 cm, depth 26 cm, height 5 cm. The basket is in excellent condition. For all shipments we use special packaging materials (wooden crates, polystyrene, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the items.
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SILVER Seller in Prato, Italy
