Vase
Joseph-Théodore Deck French
This spectacular vase was made by Théodore Deck, the most esteemed ceramic artist in France in the late nineteenth century. Deck was famous for the glazes that he developed, especially a rich turquoise blue that became known in French as "bleu de Deck." Deck used this particular glaze to highlight the applied branches, peaches, and bats that decorate this vase, as well as for the stylized Chinese character that symbolizes longevity. The peach is also regarded as a symbol of longevity in China, reinforcing the auspicious message of the character above. The significance of these motifs may not have been evident to a European buyer, but the form of the vase would have indicated its Chinese inspiration.
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