Jules BRATEAU (1844 - 1923)

"The Four Elements" & "The Four Seasons Pair of pewter plates depicting the allegories of the seasons and the elements in a wide band, along with their titles in English, French and German. Signed "Jules Brateau" in the decor. D : 19 cm History : A student of Auguste Nadaud at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Jules Brateau was a French sculptor, goldsmith, jeweler and pewter potter. As one of the renovators of this art form in France, he was a precursor of the style that would continue in Art Nouveau goldsmithing. Jules Brateau worked with jewelers Boucheron, Henri Vever, Bapst and Falize from 1878 onwards, devoting himself to pewter goldsmithing. He won a silver medal at the 1878 Exposition Universelle and a gold medal at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. A pair of "The four Elements" tin plates by Jules Bratea u, with allegorical decor anf english, french and german titles. Signed "Jules Brateau" in the decor. D : 7,48 inch Bibliography : - Jean-Christophe Boucaud: "Jules Brateau 1844-1923", auto édition, November 2023, model reproduced and referenced on page 60.