Le pavillon sur l'eau

Description This French translation of a Chinese folktale, The Water Pavilion, was completed by Théophile Gautier at the turn of the century. Léon Gruel created a binding suitably evocative of Chinese art, with a hanging basket and butterfly. Decorative arts from China, Japan, and the Middle East were extremely fashionable in the late 19th century.

Exhibitions

• Bookbindings from the Gilded Age. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2013-2014.

Provenance Acquired by Henry Walters, Baltimore, before 1931; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, before 1931