Untitled Théière (2 CV, 1985)

Artist Adrian Saxe (American, born 1943)

Artist Gilles Bouttaz (French, born 1953)

Manufacturer Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (French, founded 1756)

CultureAmerican

Date1992

MediumGlazed porcelain with gilding

DimensionsOverall: 32.5 × 22 × 7.5 cm (12 13/16 × 8 11/16 × 2 15/16 in.)

MarkingsSevres mark and stamp with initials of the decorator

DescriptionThis object combines an exquisite and complex form with remarkable surface painting. The form explicitly makes numerous references to historical decorative arts, from the pedestal like base, to the French curl in the center to the golden finial. It mixes these references into a postmodern whole: an object that is curiously familiar yet completely original. The surface painting expertly replicates faux bois, an imitation wood pattern seen in trompe l’oeil ceramics as well as in other media. The faux bois also references Pablo Picasso’s use of wood grain patterns in the early 20th century, deftly positioning the work at the nexus of historical decorative arts, Modernism, and Postmodernism.

Credit LineGift of Jane Corkin

Object numberG18.5.3a-b

Classifications

Modern and Contemporary Ceramics

Sub-classification

American

Collections

Status

On view