A Curious and Rare European Naturalistic Model of a Blossoming Cherry (1800 to 1900 French)

Wood, bronze, gesso, paint, silk, and feathers

94.00cm high 35.50cm deep (37.01 inches high13.98 inches deep)

Carefully made and finely detailed to imitate a real 'bonsai' the silk leaves even have miniature lacquered wooden insects sitting upon them. The gnarled trunk sits in a wooden jardinière with feathers painted to resemble tufts of grass sprouting from the soil.
This unique cherry tree is made in the style of a Chinese miniature which are composed of semi-precious stones and metals often set in cloisonné bases. To the Chinese the cherry tree which is often seen blooming in the snow, represents dignified solitude and pride, the ideal of scholars.

A Curious and Rare European Naturalistic Model of a Blossoming Cherry
Wood, bronze, gesso, paint, silk, and feathers
Probably French
Second half of the 19th Century

Size : 94 cm high, 35.5 cm dia. – 37 ins high, 14 ins dia.