BY MAISON MARNYHAC, PARIS, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY POSSIBLY AFTER A DESIGN BY ÉDOUARD LIÈVRE (1828-1886) CIRCA 1880The stand modelled with a lingzhi banded rim with winged dragon and ring handles to the sides, supported on bamboo-form supports, raised on feet modelled as grotesque toads, variously stamped MARNYHAC/ 215 and 1730 EB; the Satsuma jardinière decorated with figures of warriors within a landscape111cm highFootnotes:Maison Marnyhac, was themercial name for la Société des Marbres et Bronzes Artistiques de Paris and was established under the direction of Charles de Marnyhac in Paris in the mid-19th century. It was listed at two addresses in the Avenue de l'Opéra and the Rue de la Paix. Thepany also opened a gallery at 163/165 Regent Street in 1875. They specialised in the creation of luxury items, engaging the best designer-decorators to work in their premises. The present stand was probably designed by Edouard Lievre(1829-1886) who was accredited with creating abination Sino-Japanese style of design at the end of the 19th century as the Aesthetic movement was emerging.Édouard Lièvre (1828-1886), was one of the most inventive French designers of the second half of the 19th century. He started his career as a painter, specialising in genre scenes and portraits and exhibited at the renowned Salon of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, in 1855 and 1868. In 1870 he turned his hand to decorative art, which allowed him to experiment withbinations of different styles and forms within his designs. His Sino-Japanese style, for example, united elements of pagoda architecture with rich decorations of animals, flowers, and Chinese symbols of luck or longevity. His innovative creations earned himmissions for multiple major merchants of luxury goods, such as Christofle, Barbedienne and L''Escalier de Cristal. He designed pieces for the Society of Marble and Artistic Bronzes, better known as Maison Marnyhac: founded by Charles de Marnyhac in Paris, they specialised in the production of luxurious works of art, including fine bronzes. Thepany specifically employed Lièvre to meet the demand for ''Japonisme'', one of the biggest fashions of late 19th century France. For similar examples see Christie's, London 2nd July 2011 lot 111 and Phoenix Art Museum.