MANUFACTURE NATIONALE DE SÈVRES - ÉDOUARD FRÉDÉRIC BALLANGER (1877- c. 1950) DESIGNER - JOSEPH CHÉRET (1838-1894) AUTHOR OF THE FORM Les Cygnes, unique piece, 1899, in the vein of Japonism and made in underglaze paste-on-paste. Spectacular baluster vase; the circular neck is double-hemmed. Porcelain proof; the polychrome enameled decoration features anatidae and water lilies in relief and underglaze paste-on-paste. Bears the oblong date stamp S98 and the circular date stamp Décoré à SÈVRES 99, the name of the decor designer E. BALLANGER and the alphanumeric references debossed under the base. Height: 48cm Historical background: This is a creation by Édouard Frédéric Ballanger for his graduation (5th year) from the École d'application de la Manufacture de Sèvres; like a masterpiece for a journeyman. The vase was highly acclaimed for its aesthetic qualities as well as for its technical mastery, particularly in paste-on-paste. It is possible that this work inspired Horace Bieuville to decorate his famous swan vase presented at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1900. Bibliography: - Art et Décoration - November 1899. Our vase is reproduced on page 159. - Alastair Duncan - The Paris Salons 1895-1914, volume IV: Ceramics & Glass - Éditions Antique Collectors' Club, 1998. Our work reproduced on page 381. Bibliography and related works: Alexandre Sandier and Georges Lechevallier-Chevignard (dirs.) - Formes et décors modernesdela Manufacture nationaledeSèvres- Charles Massin Éditeur, Paris, [1913]. An identical model, with variant decoration, is reproduced in Plate 3.