Rare Art Nouveau Solid Silver Plaquette “Lis” by Léon Deschamps (c. 1896)
An exceptionally rare, authentic late-19th-century Art Nouveau solid silver plaquette titled “Lis” (Lily) by the celebrated French medalist and sculptor Léon-Julien Deschamps (1860–1928). Featuring an exquisitely detailed relief of a young girl holding a lily flower, this museum-grade piece bears the original artist signature and French silver hallmarks. An identical casting of this design is preserved in the permanent collection of the prestigious Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Museum-Grade Art Nouveau Silverwork by Léon Deschamps
Enhance your collection in the pinnacle of French Belle Époque artistry with this rare, solid silver commemorative plaquette. Titled “Lis” (Lily), this piece perfectly encapsulates the organic lines, ethereal beauty, and delicate symbolism that defined the late-19th-century Art Nouveau movement.
The obverse features a highly stylized, high-relief profile of a young girl cradling a lily blossom, juxtaposing pure innocence with natural grace. It is boldly marked “Lis” on the face and carries the authentic, crisp signature of the master medalist, Léon Deschamps.
Artist Historical Context
Léon-Julien Deschamps (1860 – 1928) was a highly decorated French salon sculptor and a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Training under master sculptors like Hippolyte Moreau, Deschamps became famous for his delicate sand-cast reliefs and intricate commemorative works. Today, the vast majority of his original portfolios are held by major global institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Musée d’Orsay, making his privately circulating silver works extraordinarily rare and highly sought after by elite antiquarians.
Authenticity & Condition Specifications
- Artist: Léon-Julien Deschamps (French, 1860–1928)
- Title: Lis (Lily)
- Period/Style: Art Nouveau (Circa 1896)
- Material: Solid Silver (Stamped “Argent” on the bottom edge)
- Weight: Approx. 19.6 grams
- Dimensions: 40mm x 22mm
- Condition: Excellent antique condition. Displays a beautiful, soft natural patina with crisp, sharp details and minimal wear to the high points of the relief.
Note: This is a guaranteed authentic 19th-century piece. Due to its historical significance and institutional rarity, it represents a premier investment piece for collectors of fine French medals and Art Nouveau silver.
