Auguste Moreau

AUGUSTE MOREAU (France, 1834 - 1917).
Pair of "Neapolitan fishermen" vases, ca. 1890.
Silver-plated pewter.
Signed on the back.
Marks on the back Ettlinger Frères, foundries and publishers.
Weight: 3.950 g.
Bibliography: Philippe DAHHAN, Étains 1900, 200 Sculpteurs de la Belle Époque, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, 2000. Reproduced p. 287, fig. 853.
Measurements: 25 x 17 x 14 cm.

This pair of French vases, beautifully sculpted by Auguste Moreau, features a central theme of child fishing, with each piece individually signed. One vase shows a boy scooping up a net overflowing with fish, including a large sea bass, while the other piece features a girl angling, with fish lurking around her.

Son of the painter Jean Baptiste Moreau, Auguste Moreau began his training as a pupil of his older brother Mathurin. He made his debut at the Paris Salon of 1861, where he participated regularly until 1913. He was also a member of the Société des Artistes Français. His themes - genre scenes, pastoral, allegorical - and his style, realistic and full of grace, link him to other members of the Moreau dynasty. He produced mainly bronzes, although he also worked in marble and occasionally combined bronze with gold ("Victrix enfant", presented at the 1897 Salon). He made numerous editions of his works, highly demanded by the public both for their themes, very fashionable at the time, and for their naturalism and graceful beauty. Works by Auguste Moreau can be found in the Museums of Fine Arts in Bordeaux, Dijon, Gray and Reims, as well as in private collections both in France and in other countries (he was especially published in the United States).

Ettlinger Frères, early 20th century foundries and publishers specialized in the production of pewter objects, especially in the Art Nouveau style. This foundry is associated with works by François Madurell and Joseph Berthier, among many others.