Description
Pair of vases in marble and gilded bronze. Susse Frères Foundry, Paris, 19th century.
Made entirely of veined marble and finely chiseled gilded bronze, with Louis XV-style decorations depicting a triumphal motif of acanthus leaves, palmettes, and two satyr heads.
Lids signed on the underside: “SUSSE FRES 38.”
Bronzes signed: “Becker Sclp. Susse Frères Edt.”.
The Susse Frères Foundry is a historic French manufacturer, founded in 1839 by Auguste Susse and specializing in the production of high-quality gilded bronze sculptures and decorative pieces. Active during the Belle Époque, it collaborated with numerous renowned artists, distinguishing itself through the finesse of its chiseling and the elegance of its design—elements that cemented its reputation as one of Europe’s most highly regarded foundries.
The pair presented here, crafted from veined yellow marble, is adorned with gilded bronze mounts designed by Becker and marked by the foundry with the serial number 38. The four satyr masks placed at the top of the shafts are enveloped by elegant plant volutes and acanthus leaves that frame their rounded profiles. An identical pair, bearing the same signatures of Becker and Susse Frères but crafted in pink-veined marble, was sold at auction by Christie’s in London (19th Century Furniture, Sculpture, Works of Art, and Ceramics, including a Collection from the Palace of a Milanese Noble Family, March 19, 2009, lot 87, for £22,500).
Condition report: In good condition, with minor signs of wear consistent with the period of its creation.
