Page 352 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

A large baluster form vase chased
and embossed with a quail among
peony blooms. A meander border
skirts the shoulders of the vase.

The overall semi-matt finish is
interesting and suits the period and
general decorative treatment
superbly, for the vase was made at
the time Art Nouveau was emerging
as the biggest decorative influence
across Europe. If there were such a
thing, this would be Chinese Art
Nouveau in the context of a neo-
c l a s s i c a l f o r m ; s o m e w h a t
schizophrenic, but a bold step for a
Chinese silversmith to have taken. it
is also redolent of some Japanese
silver of the same period.