Charles Poyard, Pair of Chinese-inspired flasks, circa 1870-1880

If this pair of flasks recalls, including the use of gilding and fine detail, the arts of Islam, it is above all influenced by Chinese art. The shape of these pieces is directly from the Asian art repertoire as evidenced by some works of the Qianlong Dynasty (China, 1736-1795). With the sobriety of Chinese forms, Poyard added ostentatious and luxurious dimension of Islamic art, especially silversmithery. If its pieces are probably less rich in symbolism, they are just as decorative and elegant.