Jean Eugene Baffier

JEAN EUGENE BAFFIER (Neuvy-le-Barrois, 1851 - Paris 1920).
Sugar bowl, ca. 1905.
Pewter.
Signed on one side.
Siot-Decauville foundry stampof Paris and numbering on the back.
Weight: 2.700 g.
Bibliography: Philippe DAHHAN, Étains 1900, 200 Sculpteurs de la Belle Époque, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, 2000, reproduced p. 34, fig. 40.
Measurements: 24 x 21 x 16 cm.

Sugar bowl with Art Nouveau period lid, made of silver-plated pewter. Its design is distinctive and organic: the upper handle is formed by two salamanders, while the side handles are in the form of dragonflies. It is a paradigmatic specimen that masterfully illustrates the aesthetic revolution that Art Nouveau brought to the decorative arts.

Jean Eugène Baffier was a French sculptor and writer. He was first a stone carver on the cathedral restoration project, then tried his hand at a career as a sculptor in Paris. He became known for bronze figurines (The Grape Harvester- Le Vigneron, The Reaper- Le Faucheur, The Vielleux) and pewter (vases, candlesticks, tableware), decorated with plant motifs.

Siot-Decauville was an influential French artistic foundry, active in Paris from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Founded by Edmond-Gustave Siot (1841-1908), it established itself as a specialist in the production of bronzes, particularly noted for its mastery of colored patinas. The foundry operated briefly as Siot et Perzinka (1888-1891) and always maintained prestigious showrooms in Paris (first on the Boulevard des Italiens and then on the Boulevard des Capucines).