Geisha; Christofle, c. 1880.

Geisha; CHRISTOFLE, c. 1880.
Silver plated and gilded bronze.
Measurements: 60 x 22 x 24.5 cm.
This sculpture embodies the European fascination with Japan during the last decades of the nineteenth century, at the height of Japonism. After the commercial opening of the Japanese archipelago to the West in the second half of the century, the European decorative arts enthusiastically incorporated oriental motifs, typologies and sensibilities, profoundly transforming the bourgeois taste and the ornamental languages of the time. Christofle, famous for the technical excellence of his silverware and his innovations in electroplating, was especially noted for his ability to reinterpret Japanese models through a sophisticated synthesis of oriental exoticism and French virtuosity.
The sculpture represents a geisha of serene and elegant bearing, dressed in a kimono with wide folds and rich incised decoration, whose meticulousness is evidence of the extraordinary technical mastery of the casting and the chiseling work on silvered and gilded bronze. The delicacy of the face, the gentle inclination of the head and the studied arrangement of the hands convey a sense of intimacy and refinement characteristic of Japanese sensibility. At the same time, the naturalistic treatment of the anatomy and the contained dynamism of the figure reveal the French academic sculptural heritage. The ornamental base, enriched with fantasy-inspired golden applications, reinforces the decorative character of the piece.
Christofle was founded in 1830, when jeweler Charles Christofle took over the management of a jewelry workshop belonging to his wife's family. Christofle's product lines include silver frames, crystal vases and glassware, porcelain tableware and silver jewelry. The manufacture of Christofle pieces uses traditional manufacturing techniques, including hammer work, yarn stamping, carving and engraving for finishing, as well as patinas, enamels, cloisonné and lacquering for colors, forging of cutlery.