Two Art Nouveau silver and glass wine jugs by Devaux

These graceful claret jugs were created in France in the early 20th Century, when Art Nouveau was the dominant style in the arts. Art Nouveau is characterised by its use of continuous serpentine lines, inspired by nature. The jugs bear the maker’s mark of Paul Devaux, an important practitioner of the Art Nouveau style. Devaux was active from 1902-1920 at 11 rue Elzévir in Paris.

The jugs feature silver spouts which are fluted and decorated with stylised foliate motifs. They are covered by hinged lids which are crowned with pinecone finials. The interiors of the jugs are gilded, creating a wonderful contrast with their silver exteriors. The jugs’ silver necks are decorated with elegant stylised palmettes and mounted with looping silver handles. These handles feature leafy terminals and they are ornamented with rosettes. The jugs’ ovoid bodies are crafted from crystal which is finely cut into subtle petalled forms. The bodies are set on splayed silver feet with gadrooned tops and bases encircled by leaf-and-dart bands.