Thistle vase by Jules Habert-Dys

Jules Habert-Dys, born in Fresnes (Loir-et-Cher) in 1850, began his career as an apprentice to a house painter before joining the studio of ceramist Ulysse Besnard. He then moved to Paris, where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in the studio of painter Jean-Léon Gérôme. He then worked for Charles Haviland's porcelain factory, where he met Félix Bracquemond, a key figure in the revival of the decorative arts.

A rare multi-talented artist—painter, engraver, decorator—Habert-Dys stood out for his highly personal naturalistic style. He designed creations in many fields: ceramics, enamel, glass, furniture, and even goldsmithing. Among his most famous works is the jewelry box kept at the Musée d'Orsay, remarkable for its combination of enamel, goldsmithing, and cabinetmaking.

The vase we are presenting here features a subtle gradient from bluish gray at the neck to a warm brown at the base. The decoration, achieved by acid etching and glass cutting, depicts thistles—an emblematic motif of the Art Nouveau movement, of which Habert-Dys was one of the great designers.

This vase perfectly illustrates the quest for a total and accessible decorative art, enhanced by the talent of a virtuoso artist entirely dedicated to the beauty of nature.