Lot 38: PAUL-ÉLIE RANSON (1861-1909) BOITE A CIGARES EN MARQUETERIE, FEMME NUE ADOS

PAUL-ÉLIE RANSON (1861-1909) BOITE A CIGARES EN MARQUETERIE, FEMME NUE ADOSSEE A UN ARBRE MARQUETERIE PAR ALFONSE HÉROLD De forme rectangulaire, le couvercle en marqueterie Monogrammée 'P.R.' (en haut à droite) Monogrammée 'A.H.' (au dos) Longueur: 31,3 cm. (12º in.); Largeur: 16,6 cm. (6Ω in.); Hauteur: 9,5 cm. (3Ω in.) Exécutée vers 1899; cette oeuvre est unique

A MARQUETRY CIGAR CASKET PAUL-ELIE RANSON (1861-1909), PARIS The delicate cigar box perfectly fts into this movement, which intended to reclaim decorative art as an art in and of itself. Today, there are three known Paul Ranson boxes, each one unique, featuring the careful marquetry of Alfonse Hérold, the brother of André- Ferdinand Hérold, a symbolist poet who was a friend of the painter. All three of them worked on the translation, illustration and marionette performance of Pahphnutius, a Hindu drama of Hrotswitha favoured by the Nabis. With an inlay of undulating yet tortuous designs, this meticulously crafted box virtually summarises the various elements of Ranson’s artistic focus as he stood on the brink of the 20th century.

PROVENANCE: Atelier de l'artiste; Puis par descendance au propriétaire actuel.