Francesc Madurell

FRANCESC MADURELL TORRES (Barcelona, last quarter of the XIX century - Madrid 1968).
Vase "Vérité".
Silver-plated pewter.
Signed on the left side.
Marks on the base Ettlinger Frères, foundries and publishers.
Weight: 2700 g.
Bibliography: Philippe DAHHAN, Étains 1900, 200 Sculpteurs de la Belle
Époque, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, 2000, reproduced p. 260, fig. 767.
Signed F. MADURELL on the base of the jug and Ettlinger Frères on the reverse.
Measurements: 33 x 22 x 15 cm.

This silver-plated pewter pitcher is notable for its two asymmetrical handles, which contribute to its unique design. Both handles are richly decorated, featuring a garland of leaves and, as the main motif, a scene where a young woman combs her hair in front of a mirror that is held by a child.

Francesc Madurell i Torres was an outstanding modernist sculptor and designer, although his biography is little known. In the Catalan sphere, he collaborated with key figures such as Domènech i Montaner, designing the ceramic pieces with relief for the administration of the Hospital de Sant Pau and participating in the decoration of the chapels of the Casa de les Punxes. It is also known that he participated in the I Saló del Artistes Independents of 1907 and in the International Art Exhibition of 1911, and he stood out as a designer of commemorative medals. Later, he moved to France, where he worked under the pseudonym of "François Madurell" and devoted himself to the creation of jewelry boxes and tin vases. Finally, he returned to Spain in 1960, combining his residence between Barcelona and Madrid.

Ettlinger Frères was a prominent French foundry and publishing house active in the early 20th century, known for its specialization in the production of pewter (a tin alloy) objects, particularly those in the elegant Art Nouveau style. The foundry is historically linked to the edition of works by prominent designers and sculptors such as François Madurell and Joseph Berthier, among many other contributors.