Léon Sazerat (1831-1891) in Limoges - pair of Japanese vases

Manufacture de Léon Sazerat (1831 - 1891) in Limoges: pair of Japanese earthenware vases, barbotine, polychrome enamels and translucent glaze, circa 1890;
The two vases are decorated, one with a pensive man, the other with a woman sheltering under an umbrella, both subjects in high relief and polychrome.
The base of each vase, which rests on four scrolled feet, is adorned with masks evoking a dragon or chimera. The body itself, rectangular in cross-section, features Japanese cranes in flight on one side, with a stylized sun in the background, and prunus in bloom on the other; the decoration is enhanced by touches of white enamel and iridescence. Finally, the inside of the vases is lined with turquoise enamel.

The only Limoges porcelain maker to have apprenticed at the Sèvres factory, Léon Sazerat took part in the 1855 Universal Exhibition, and won a gold medal at the 1878 Universal Exhibition.
In 1886, an Exposition des arts appliqués à l'industrie was held in Limoges, where Sazerat presented 87 pieces in porcelain, earthenware and stoneware.

While the variety of techniques used to create our vases is a sign of great technical mastery, their decorative repertoire, evoking a fantasized Asia where Chinese and Japanese influences mingle, is directly in line with Japonism at its height. This ornamental repertoire is to be compared with the plates published in the magazine "Le Japon Artistique", published from 1888 onwards by Siegfried Bing, a Paris-based dealer, importer and collector of Japanese art, a magazine that enjoyed great renown and of which a cover and plate are reproduced (see last photos). This type of ceramic goes perfectly with contemporary furniture by Gabriel Viardot or Perret et Vibert.
The two vases measure 35cm in height; 12.5x11cm for the base, and 7.8x9.1cm for the mouth. They are marked "LS Limoges" under the base, and are in perfect condition.

Ref: TDHLEILEDO