Oriental Lantern Attributed To H. Vian, France circa 1880

An exceptional oriental lantern with four light arms and a central light composed by Moorish arches, adorned with chains and pendants, supported by four columns. The whole is inserted in an abundant gilt and openwork bronze decoration with vegetal patterns. An inscription running around the lantern says : “Only Gold could be glorious”.

Biography :
Henri Vian, a bronze-caster active in the second half of the 19th Century, made a lot of interior decorations with chimney mantelpieces, ormolu and patinated-mounted vases, chandeliers,… He produced articles of the highest quality. The signature can be either in script, usually with a lower case first letter for his Christian name as on these vases, or more commonly with initials h.V. in later pieces. The business, located at 5 rue de Thorigny in Paris (Salé Mansion, now Picasso Museum), was continued by Madame Vian after her husband's death in 1905.