JULES BRATEAU (1844-1923) Les quatre saisons Pewter plate wi - Lot 277

JULES BRATEAU (1844-1923) Les quatre saisons Pewter plate with gadrooned rim decorated on the rim with cartouches representing the four seasons, captioned in French, German and English, alternating with motifs recalling each season. Model created in 1881 Diam: 19cm Cartouche hallmark, gibet counter-punch Small oxidation on the bottom Ref. Boucaud, J-C, Jules Brateau, p. 62 Born in Bourges into a family of bakers, Jules Brateau entered Honoré Bourdoncle's workshop in Paris as an apprentice chiseler at the age of 14. He quickly demonstrated above-average artistic skills. After his training and several years as a laborer, he opened his own chasing workshop in 1874. The quality of his work quickly earned him an excellent reputation in Paris. He worked for Lucien Falize, Vever and Boucheron, among others. It was during a visit to the Louvre that the attention of this art lover and museum enthusiast was drawn to the pewter work of the Renaissance masters. Jules Brateau never ceased to perfect the art of chasing that he loved so much. He was awarded the gold medal at the 1889 Exposition Universelle for his masterpiece "Les Sciences et Les Arts". His creations met with great success, and commissions poured in. A member of the Poignée movement alongside Albert Dammouse, Paul Grandhomme and Victor-Emile Prouvé, among others, he experimented with all kinds of materials, but always returned to his love of chasing and pewter. He made exactly 46 pieces in this metal. He retired to his daughter's home in Fécamp, where he died on October 23, 1923. This collection features a large number of pieces, some of which have never been sold at auction.