A dramatic and sculptural Art Nouveau vase by French sculptor Georges Charles Coudray, cast in metal and designed as a fully integrated figural composition. The piece presents an animated allegorical scene in which a sensuous female figure is swept in motion beside a large organic vessel, her flowing drapery pulled playfully by a cherubic putto, creating a sense of movement and narrative that is quintessentially Art Nouveau.
The vase itself rises in a bold, organic form with a deeply flared and undulating rim, resembling the natural curves of a blossoming flower. The sculptural base develops into fluid vegetal forms, reinforcing the movement and naturalistic philosophy central to the Art Nouveau aesthetic.
Coudray’s mastery is evident in the dynamic tension of the figures, the expressive modeling of the female form, and the playful interaction with the cherub. The drapery, which visually links the two figures, creates a flowing compositional arc that frames the vessel and enhances the sense of motion.
Executed in substantial cast metal with a rich dark patina, the work possesses considerable presence and weight, making it as much a sculpture as a functional decorative object.
The piece is signed “George Coudray” within the casting. He was a notable French sculptor who exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français and produced numerous decorative sculptures during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Works by Coudray frequently explore mythological and allegorical themes, and this example beautifully captures the romantic theatricality and fluid natural forms associated with the golden age of French Art Nouveau decorative arts.
Details
Dimensions
Height: 20 inches
Width: 16 inches
Depth: 10 inches
Condition
Excellent vintage condition with a beautiful aged patina consistent with age. Minor surface wear typical of period cast metal works. Partial tear to one leg of putto as seen in picture.
Collector Notes
Large figural Art Nouveau sculptures by Coudray are admired for their dramatic composition and fluid modeling, and pieces combining both functional design and sculptural narrative—such as this vase—are especially desirable among collectors of French decorative arts.
A dramatic and sculptural Art Nouveau vase by French sculptor Georges Charles Coudray, cast in metal and designed as a fully integrated figural composition. The piece presents an animated allegorical scene in which a sensuous female figure is swept in motion beside a large organic vessel, her flowing drapery pulled playfully by a cherubic putto, creating a sense of movement and narrative that is quintessentially Art Nouveau.
The vase itself rises in a bold, organic form with a deeply flared and undulating rim, resembling the natural curves of a blossoming flower. The sculptural base develops into fluid vegetal forms, reinforcing the movement and naturalistic philosophy central to the Art Nouveau aesthetic.
Coudray’s mastery is evident in the dynamic tension of the figures, the expressive modeling of the female form, and the playful interaction with the cherub. The drapery, which visually links the two figures, creates a flowing compositional arc that frames the vessel and enhances the sense of motion.
Executed in substantial cast metal with a rich dark patina, the work possesses considerable presence and weight, making it as much a sculpture as a functional decorative object.
The piece is signed “George Coudray” within the casting. He was a notable French sculptor who exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français and produced numerous decorative sculptures during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Works by Coudray frequently explore mythological and allegorical themes, and this example beautifully captures the romantic theatricality and fluid natural forms associated with the golden age of French Art Nouveau decorative arts.
Details
Dimensions
Height: 20 inches
Width: 16 inches
Depth: 10 inches
Condition
Excellent vintage condition with a beautiful aged patina consistent with age. Minor surface wear typical of period cast metal works. Partial tear to one leg of putto as seen in picture.
Collector Notes
Large figural Art Nouveau sculptures by Coudray are admired for their dramatic composition and fluid modeling, and pieces combining both functional design and sculptural narrative—such as this vase—are especially desirable among collectors of French decorative arts.
Image 1 of 5
Image 2 of 5
Image 3 of 5
Image 4 of 5
Image 5 of 5