Grand miroir ovale en terre vernissée de l’Ecole de Paris attribué à Victor et Achille Barbizet, vers 1865-1870

à décor en relief de caïman, poissons, épis de maïs, tortue, coléoptère, lézards, serpents, batraciens, papillons, algues et joncs ; au sommet une figure d’amour drapé assis sur des stalactites

From top, Putto in good condition. Minor chips at the end of stalactits on which he sits. At 3 O clock: the jaw of a fish broken and restuck. The end of mouth of another fish broken. Tail and two fins of this fish broken and missing. Tail of a third fish broken and missing. Half of its head broken and restuck. At 6 O clock: a small part of tortoise shell broken and restuck. At 9 Oclock. Chips at the end of tail of two fishes. A chip at the end of eel's head. A 10 O clock. A chip on one scale of caiman.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Un vase attribué à Victor et Achille Barbizet, dont les anses sont formées de crocodiles et le col orné de stalactites très similaires à ceux présents sur notre miroir est reproduit par Christine Viennet, Bernard Palissy et ses suiveurs du XVIe siècle à nos jours, 2010, p. 181.