“The Wind” by Albert Marionnet

This is a stunning example of Art Nouveau desk ware, crafted by one of the period’s most respected French bronziers.

The Creator: Albert Marionnet (1852–1910)

The marking “A. Marionnet Bronzes Paris” identifies this as the work of Albert Marionnet, a renowned French sculptor, chaser, and founder. Unlike many designers who outsourced their casting, Marionnet operated his own foundry in Paris. He was celebrated for his high-quality “naturalist” style, often featuring flora and fauna rendered with incredible detail. His work was sold in the most exclusive luxury boutiques of the Belle Époque and is now held in prestigious collections, including the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

The Figure: “Le Vent” (The Wind)

The creature depicted is a personification of The Wind, often interpreted specifically as Boreas (the North Wind) or a personification of Winter.

• The Face: Notice the puffed cheeks and the “flowing” beard that seems to merge with the gust of air he is blowing. This is a classic motif for wind deities.
• The Foliage: The face is emerging from a dense thicket of holly leaves and berries. The sharp, prickly points of the leaves and the clusters of berries are unmistakable. In French decorative arts of this period, holly was frequently used to symbolize winter, reinforcing the “North Wind” or “Winter Wind” theme.

Materials & Construction

• The Bronze: This is cast in gilded bronze (often referred to as ormolu or bronze doré).
• The Marble: The base is a dark green marble with striking white and light-green veining. This is Vert de Mer (Sea Green) marble, a prestigious stone quarried in the French Alps and frequently paired with high-end Parisian bronzes of the late 19th century.
• Markings: The stamp “FRANCE DÉPOSÉ” indicates that Marionnet registered this specific design to protect it from being copied by other foundries.

Detailed Description & Dating

• Age: This set dates to approximately 1895–1905, during the height of the Art Nouveau movement.
• The Inkstand: A “double inkstand” featuring two inkwells with hinged lids. The bronze “tray” portion rests on a tiered, stepped marble base, which is elevated by four bronze bun feet.
• The Pen Holder/Tray: A matching long tray designed to hold quill pens or nib holders. It repeats the “Le Vent” motif on the left side, showing the Wind’s breath sweeping across the length of the tray.

Summary

Title: “Le Vent” (The Wind) Art Nouveau Desk Set Artist: Albert Marionnet (French, 1852–1910) Period: Circa 1900 (Belle Époque / Art Nouveau) Medium: Gilded bronze and Vert de Mer marble Design: A personification of the North Wind blowing through holly branches and berries. Signatures: Stamped “A. Marionnet Bronzes Paris” and “France Déposé.”