Research:
Of painted wood and sheet metal. Each of a white painted vasiform body carved on three sides with asymmetrical rocaille decoration including C- and S- curves and scrolled foliage, with a central shapted cartouche to the front containing a polychrome painted sprig of flowers, and carved polychrome painted flowers appearing to issue from the top concealing the cylindrical opening, a later panel of metal nailed to the rear enclosing the back, the whole supported by a waisted socle and raised on a rectangular stepped plinth.
Marks:
One bearing partial label:
K,k. Österreichishe Staatsbahnen Eilgut. (Imperial Austrian Sate Railway. Express Good.)
Provenance:
Gilbert Adrian and Janet Gaynor, Northridge, California
Although these jardinieres, with their pale palette and grand scale suit the Hollywood version of the Art Deco aesthetic of the 1930s and 1940 very well, the old label found within the body of one of these pieces indicates that there were not made at that date, but were acquired as antiques in Europe.
They are distinguished by charming carved and painted rococo decoration in the form of asymmetrical C- and S-curves and scrolling foliage. Such motifs were widely circulated in the ornamental prints of artists such as Franz-Xaver Habermann (1721-1796) and Georg Michel Roscher (1727-1775).
The jardinieres formerly stood in the home of costume designer Gilbert Adrian and his wife, the actress Janet Gaynor in Northridge, California.
Full research report available on request.