Description
ABOUT THE ITEM
DIMENSIONS
CRUMB PICKER: H: 27,5 cm; W: 25 cm
BRUSH: H: 34 cm; W: 4 cm
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES
PRESSED FIBRE, HORSEHAIR, HANDMADE
PLACE OF ORIGIN
FRANCE
PERIOD
1870-1890s
CONDITION
WEAR CONSISTENT WITH AGE AND USE SOME GILDING LOSS, SOME SPLITTING AND FINISH LOSS
NAPOLEON III’S EXOTIC STYLE WAS AT ITS PEAK FROM 1870-1890
A FASHION FOR EVERYTHING ORIENTAL HAS ARISEN
THE PICTURE SHOWS A SCENE OF DIVIDING PEARS IN CHINESE THE PHRASE TO “DIVIDE A PEAR” IS 分梨 (FĒN LÍ)
THIS IS A HOMOPHONE 分离(FĒN LÍ) WHICH MEANS “SEPARATE”
THE INTERPRETATION OF THE PICTURE MAY BE EQUIVALENT TO THE FAMOUS PHRASE “DIVIDE AND CONQUER” THIS PHRASE BECAME WIDELY KNOWN DURING THE SECOND FRENCH EMPIRE THANKS TO THE ECONOMIST AND PHILOSOPHER PIERRE-JOSEPH PROUDON
HISTORY
Exoticism and Elegance
Introduction:
In the opulent era of Napoleon III’s France (1870-1890), a wave of fascination with the exotic permeated through the social life. This period, characterized by lavishness and an insatiable appetite for the novel, witnessed the emergence of intricate artifacts that blended Western elegance with Eastern exoticism. Among these, the Crumb Picker and Brush, a testament to this fusion of cultures, epitomized the era’s penchant for luxurious living.
The Crumb Picker and Brush:
The Crumb Picker and Brush was a functional masterpiece that seamlessly married utility with artistic expression. Crafted with meticulous precision, this accessory was designed to serve the practical purpose of tidying up a dining table. Its primary components included a slender, elegantly curved handle and a set of bristles, paired with a miniature pan-like structure.
Exoticism and Chinese Influence:
At the heart of the Crumb Picker and Brush’s allure lay its unmistakable Chinese influence. This era was marked by a fervent fascination with the mystique of the East, with China at its epicenter. The aesthetic vocabulary of Chinese art, characterized by intricate motifs, rich colors, and delicate craftsmanship, was readily embraced by the French aristocracy.
Functionality Meets Elegance:
While the Crumb Picker and Brush were created with a utilitarian purpose, the meticulous craftsmanship elevated them to objects of refined luxury. The bristles, meticulously arranged to ensure efficiency, were often made from natural materials like horsehair, exemplifying the dedication to quality and detail.
The Cultural Zeitgeist of Napoleon III’s France:
The era of Napoleon III was characterized by an amalgamation of cultures and styles, a phenomenon that came to be known as eclecticism. It was a time when the boundaries between traditional European aesthetics and global influences blurred. The Crumb Picker and Brush embodied this spirit of amalgamation, symbolizing the synthesis of French refinement with Chinese exoticism.
Conclusion:
The Crumb Picker and Brush, a relic of Napoleon III’s France, encapsulates the era’s infatuation with the exotic and the sublime. Its synthesis of practicality and artistic expression, blended with a fascination for Chinese aesthetics, serves as a testament to an age that embraced cultural diversity and celebrated opulence. Today, these artifacts stand as precious reminders of a time when artistry knew no bounds and the world’s riches were at the fingertips of the privileged few.
