Striking Art Nouveau tall glass vase, hand-painted in enamels and signed Peynaud, c1915. Tall waisted cylinder-form body, widest at its foot. Frosted glass with miniscule inclusions throughout, giving the vase a translucent off-white colour and an attractive sheen. Hand-painted enamel design of trailing wild balsam apple with fruits – the design extending the full height of the vase. Painted signature ‘Peynaud’ in enamel to body. The vase is 35 cm in height and 13 cm maximum diameter.
 
Jean-Simon Peynaud was born in Lauzun, France in 1869. After attending the School of Fine Arts in Bordeaux he started working at the Jules Vieillard Faïencerie, renown for high quality porcelain as well as for pieces decorated using the cloisonné-enamel technique. This technique was introduced to Jules Vieillard and his sons by the glassmaker and ceramist, Amédée de Caranza who perfected the technique of ‘enamelling in relief’ on glazed earthenware. Amédée was born in Constantinople – bringing both new techniques as well as an Islamic influence in his work. Jean-Simon worked alongside Amédée who regularly held workshops at the Vieillard factory for interested co-workers. However, despite its reputation for high quality wares, the company closed in 1895. Amédée emigrated to the US whilst Jean-Simon eventually set-up his own business in Bordeaux in 1910. The Art Nouveau movement had swept across France at the end of the 19th century – creating amongst others l'École de Nancy, with artists such as Émile Gallé at its centre. Clearly influenced by French artists and designers of the period, Jean-Simon used the enamelling techniques he had mastered to produce art glass with designs created using hand-painted enamels. He mostly used frosted glass as the ground for his designs but also used acid-etching techniques over which he applied the enamel paint. Earlier Art Nouveau designs of flowers, fruits or landscapes were commonly executed using multi-coloured enamels whilst his later work, reflecting the Art Deco movement, were often bold monochrome designs. The Peynaud company was located at 44, Rue Héron in Bordeaux and was active between 1910 and c1935. Jean-Simon died in Bordeaux in 1952.