Antique Fine Pewter Vase, Signed Ermenault, Art Nouveau Leaf Relief — France, Early 20th Century

Pewter had a brief but genuine moment of artistic seriousness during the Art Nouveau period. Where the metal had long served purely utilitarian ends — tankards, plates, candlesticks — a generation of designers around 1900 discovered that its soft grey surface and low melting point made it ideal for the flowing, naturalistic relief that Art Nouveau demanded, and pewter vases signed by named designers began appearing alongside their silver and bronze counterparts, prized for the particular quality of light that only pewter's matte surface produces.

This vase is French, early twentieth century, signed Ermenault, in fine pewter marked beneath the foot. The form is a slender baluster, narrowing sharply at the shoulder to a tall, tapering neck with a flared mouth — the elegant, elongated silhouette that Art Nouveau vase makers favoured above squatter, more traditional forms. Around the widest point of the body, a band of raised relief depicts leaves and foliage in naturalistic detail — individual veined leaves overlapping in a loose, organic arrangement, with a textured stippled ground behind them that sets the smooth leaf surfaces in relief. Above and below this band, fine incised lines run vertically toward neck and foot, a restrained secondary decoration that draws the eye upward along the vase's full height. The signature is engraved into the body below the leaf band, legible and confidently placed.

The pewter carries the soft grey patina natural to the metal, with the honest surface texture that fine pewter develops over a century of handling. It stands well on a mantelpiece, a console, or a shelf, its slender form giving it presence without requiring much space.

It arrives professionally packed and fully insured. All duties and import charges are our responsibility — you pay nothing beyond the listed price. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

DETAILS:
Size: Height 16 cm (6.3 in) · Neck diameter 4 cm (1.6 in)
Material: fine pewter, marked "Guaranteed Fine Pewter" beneath the foot
Style/Period: French Art Nouveau, early 20th century — signed Ermenault
Weight: 182 g (6.4 oz)
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide — all import duties paid by us, nothing to settle on delivery
Condition: very good antique condition; natural pewter patina throughout
Returns: accepted within 30 days

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above. Transit time depends on your destination.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

Return instructions and your consumer rights