A Finely Enamelled, Vermeil and Silver Inkwell
By Eugène Feuillâtre, circa 1900
Finely enamelled to depict repeating peacock feathers in turquoise against a royal blue background, with maker's hallmarks and stamped on the underside Feuillâtre
3 ¼ in (8 cm) diameter
cf. Art et Decoration, Vol. 15, 1904, pp.37-39
3 ¼ in (8 cm) diameter
cf. Art et Decoration, Vol. 15, 1904, pp.37-39
Born in 1870 in Dunkirk, Feuillâtre (1870-1916) began working as an apprentice goldsmith at the age of 18, studying with the enamellers Etienne Tourette and Louis Houillon. He experimented with enamels and worked with other designers, most notably René Lalique, as the director of Lalique's enamel workshop from 1890 to 1897. In 1898 he opened his own shop at 3 rue de Villedo, Paris, and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français: the Musée des Arts Décoratifs purchased one of his pieces entitled Poppies. Commenting on one of his early appearances at the Paris Salon in 1898, the periodical Art et Décoration noted that he was already working in the difficult technique of plique-à-jour – a form of cloisonné in which the background is affixed temporarily in the process of working and is removed after firing. In 1899 he exhibited at La Libre Esthetique in Brussels and at the New Gallery in London along with Lalique and Fouquet, where he also acted as a member of the jury. From 1899 to 1910, Feuillâtre became a member of the Société des Artistes Français and exhibited with them. He exhibited and won a gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, also showing at the Turin Exposition two years later.
Noted as a gifted goldsmith and sculptor, Feuillâtre became most famous for his skill and technical experimentation as an enameller and for the highly original vases and boxes he produced in translucent enamel over silver, between 1900 and 1910. He was considered one of the Art Nouveau's best craftsmen in this field. In 1914 he became a member of the newly founded Société des Artistes Decorateurs and exhibited until he was enlisted to fight in the war, which claimed his life. His wife Lina continued to run the firm after his death.
Other enamelled works by Eugène Feuillâtre can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Berlin).
Noted as a gifted goldsmith and sculptor, Feuillâtre became most famous for his skill and technical experimentation as an enameller and for the highly original vases and boxes he produced in translucent enamel over silver, between 1900 and 1910. He was considered one of the Art Nouveau's best craftsmen in this field. In 1914 he became a member of the newly founded Société des Artistes Decorateurs and exhibited until he was enlisted to fight in the war, which claimed his life. His wife Lina continued to run the firm after his death.
Other enamelled works by Eugène Feuillâtre can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Berlin).
