Lot 423: Jules Blanchard (1832 - 1916) and Jean Hugues for J Loebnitz & Fils , Two wall panels

circa 1894 tin-glazed earthenware, the first modelled as a young woman holding a bouquet and spray of flowers, the second as a dancing girl the first inscribed, `A Monsieur Clemencet, Souvenir d'Avril 1894, J Blanchard' and `J LOEBNITZ & FILS.PARIS', the second, `J Hugues' and `J.LOEBNITZ & FILS.PARIS' each back stamped, `J LOEBNITZ, PARIS' Quantity: 2

measurements 55cm. high by 25.5cm. wide; alternate measurements 21 3/4 in. by 10in.

These panels are smaller versions of those produced to decorate the exterior of the Café Riche in Paris which were commissioned by the architect Albert Ballu (1849 - 1939). The originals can now be found in the Rouen Museum. The ornate decoration of the café, which included mosaic panels, was completed in 1894 and dismatled in 1898. The Café Riche was a popular haunt of artists at the time and Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Sisley and Degas were known to meet there.