Early 20th-century French Art Deco ceramic lidded ginger jar or urn vase by the celebrated Paul Milet for Sèvres. Crafted during the prime of the Art Deco period, this exceptional piece boasts an elongated, structured ribbed body that rises to a domed lid with knob finial. Finished in a highly sophisticated mottled pink glaze. It features an exquisite dark stippled effect that imparts incredible texture and visual depth to its sleek, architectural lines. Its striking silhouette provides an elegant, commanding presence suited for a premium display.
In overall very good antique condition. The piece retains a beautiful surface luster. Consistent with age and light handling, there are some minor edge chips noted on the top knob of the lid (as pictured). They do not diminish the immense aesthetic charm or display quality of this rare French artifact.
Dimensions:
Height: 12 7/8 inches (approx. 32.7 cm)
Width: 6 1/2 inches (approx. 16.5 cm)
Bearing an early Paul Milet mark in use from circa 1911 to 1930. Paul Milet, son of Félix-Optat Milet, came from a well-defined lineage of potters. The Milet legacy began deep in Normandy, a region celebrated since medieval times for its rich ceramic traditions, before the family transitioned its artistry to the prestigious heart of French porcelain making in Sèvres. Félix-Optat Milet began his celebrated career as a modeler for the elite Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres in 1862. By 1866, he established his own independent, award-winning workshop just steps from the national factory, earning historic gold and silver medals at the World Exhibitions in Paris. Highly gifted and trained under his father, Paul Jean Milet entered the family workshop in 1894. Over a prolific 36-year tenure, Paul skillfully transformed the studio's output to match the rapid, exciting design shifts in fashions of the era. his early works favoured the floral and whiplash ornamentation associated with the Art Nouveau movement. By comparison, his later work is serene yet streamlined, with simple forms flambe glazed in high-contrast bold jazz-age colors indicative of the Art Deco era.