Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Floral Vase By Frédéric Debon

This late 19th-century French Art Nouveau bronze vase by Frédéric Debon is a remarkable example of the movement’s celebration of nature and craftsmanship. The sculptural composition features elegantly gilded flowers climbing sinuously around the body of the vase, culminating in a finely modelled beetle poised delicately at the rim.

In the visual language of Art Nouveau, insects symbolise vitality, transformation, and the harmonious unity of plant and animal life. Here, the beetle appears momentarily at rest, animating the surface and enhancing the organic dynamism that defines the style.

The vase was cast and edited by Susse Frères, one of Paris’s most esteemed art foundries of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It bears the stamps “SUSSE Frès Ed. PARIS” and “SUSSE FRES,” alongside Debon’s signature, “F. Debon” .

The casting is of exceptional standard, with crisp detail and refined modelling throughout. Gilded highlights accentuate the floral forms, while the surface retains a deep, naturally aged bronze patina developed over more than a century. Traces of hand-applied paint in muted red, yellow, and green tones likely added in the early to mid-20th century contribute an additional historical layer, now integral to the object’s evolving narrative.

The vase retains its original liner, further enhancing its desirability and completeness. Altogether, this piece stands as a superb testament to French Art Nouveau artistry and the enduring legacy of Debon’s sculptural vision.

Details:

Artist: Frédéric Debon
Measurements: 17cm height, width: 9cm wide
Period: Art Nouveau, c. 1890–1910
Material: Solid bronze
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related wear, patina variation, and surface marks and scratches consistent with age. This vase shows authentic signs of age including surface wear and historic painted embellishment. No structural damage. The bronze is sound and stable. One of the beetle's antenna is missing.