CAPITAIN-GÉNY FOUNDRY - Lot 453

CAPITAIN-GÉNY FOUNDRY PAIR OF SUPERB GARDEN COUVERED VASES Cast iron repainted green, the tapered body decorated in high relief with two medallions featuring the profile of a Renaissance lady and courtly gentleman, against a background of foliate foliage, the lid decorated with flowers and fruit, the knob-shaped grip, the handles with foliate scrolls, on a pedestal decorated with oves and flowering oves. Capitain-Gény foundry, Bussy, Haute-Marne. c. 1880, in the Renaissance style. This model with its round base was exhibited at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. Height. 81 cm; Width. 73.5 cm; Depth. 62 cm. One handle missing. REFERENCES. Capitain-Gény, catalog, model reproduced pl. 966, no. 16. This round-base model was exhibited at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. PROVENANCE. This pair of vases once graced the garden of a former director of the Val d'Osne foundry. This foundry, initially a family-run iron ore washing and crushing business founded in 1831 by Auguste Capitain and his brother-in-law, enjoyed tremendous growth throughout the 19th century. As testimony to its success, the company was awarded the Grand Prix at the 1878 Exposition Universelle, a gold medal and two silver medals at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. She took part in a number of Parisian works of art. In particular, she founded the famous groups Les forgerons riveurs and Les Nautes by sculptor Gustave Michel for the Bir-Hakeim bridge, in 1906.