Style Japonism, Chinoiserie / Ref.15264

Fernand Thesmar, Ornament Plate With Grapevine on a Silver Background, 1880

This gilt bronze ornament plate, featuring a naturalistic design of a butterfly approaching a cluster of grapes, was crafted by Fernand Thesmar in 1880.

André-Fernand Thesmar received industrial drawing training in Mulhouse before moving to Paris, where he joined the renowned Barbedienne workshop in 1872. It was there that he became deeply engaged in the study and practice of cloisonné enamel techniques.

The plate exemplifies Thesmar’s fascination with natural motifs. A butterfly hovers delicately among vine leaves, close to a cluster of grapes. This piece highlights his exceptional mastery of the cloisonné enamel technique, with the subtle polychrome hues giving depth to the leaves and translucency to the grapes, which shimmer in the light. The silvery background showcases his expertise in metallic enamelwork, and the butterfly’s wings display a range of nuanced shades.

The plate is signed by Thesmar, and both his monogram and the date of creation are seamlessly integrated into the decoration. On the reverse side, the plate is numbered 5147.

Thesmar produced another enamel plate with a similar naturalistic design featuring vines and an insect, this time on a gold background, dated 1881. This work is currently housed at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.