Anonymous.

Study of an ornamental ewer.

[Probably France, ca. 1650-1700].

Pen and brown ink with brown wash on paper, 17 × 11.8 cm; mounted on blue paper within a ruled ink border.

A profile study of an ewer, its broad, curved lip balanced by a high looped handle. Broad, lobed leaves rise above and hang below the moulded rings at the neck and belly, with a smaller repetition at the foot. Fine brown contours and transparent washes define the vessel’s volume, while the largely undecorated surfaces give the repeated leaf ornament particular emphasis.

A later inscription in pencil on verso of the sheet reads “Delarue”. Another partly legible later French inscription on the reverse of the mount appears to refer to designs by Ballin and Bérain. However, we find closer parallels in the vase designs of Jacques Stella, engraved by Françoise Bouzonnet Stella for the Livre de Vases (Paris, 1657). In particular, the paired crowns of leaves at the neck recall plate 12 (Rijksmuseum, RP-P-OB-8723). The present drawing has broader, more schematic leaves and repeats the motif around the body and foot. No exact engraved prototype has been identified. Thus, the draughtsman remains unidentified.

Condition

Creasing, scattered spots and slight soiling, a small loss at the lower right corner.

References

Sf. Stella, Jacques. Livre de Vases. Engraved by Françoise Bouzonnet Stella, published by Claudine Stella, Paris, 1657, pl. 12. Rijksmuseum, RP-P-OB-8723.