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French Emerald-Green Glass Port Wine Decanters with Gilt-Bronze Mounts, ca. 1830

$3,479.61

£2,500

€2,979.16

CA$4,798.92

A$4,856.88

CHF 2,784.80

MX$58,907.89

NOK 32,386.11

SEK 32,965.93

DKK 22,270.28

About the Item

An exceptionally rare and striking pair of French emerald-green glass port or spirit decanters, dating to approximately 1830, with sumptuous gilt-bronze (bronze doré) mounts inspired by the restrained Neoclassical aesthetic of the Directoire and early 19th-century French decorative arts. Remarkable for both their substantial scale and unusual colour, these handsome decanters are presented in a rich emerald-green glass, each weighing approximately 2 kg. The combination of jewel-like green glass and heavily gilded bronze creates an especially luxurious appearance. The rectangular bodies have smooth, elegant sides and are surmounted by magnificent solid glass ball stoppers. Each stopper has an individually fitted glass peg with a ground stem, designed to sit securely within the neck and preserve the contents. The gilt-bronze collars are particularly impressive. They are richly worked with engraved laurel decoration, beaded borders and finely chased ornament, while the decorative edging is echoed around the lower portions of the mounts. The extensive gilding provides a dramatic contrast to the deep emerald colour of the glass. The substantial construction gives the decanters an excellent weight and balance in the hand, making them both visually impressive and practical for pouring. The pair is unsigned, and may originally have carried paper labels that have not survived. The form, colour and quality of manufacture suggest a high-end French production, and the decanters have been attributed to Baccarat based upon their construction and close stylistic parallels. The exact maker and date should, however, be regarded as an attribution rather than a definitive identification. The present pair is particularly unusual in that emerald-green examples with this elaborate gilt-bronze treatment are rarely encountered, and the survival of two matching examples is especially desirable. Measurements Height: 23.5 cm (9¼ in.) Width: 13.3 cm (5¼ in.) Depth: 13.3 cm (5¼ in.) Combined weight: approximately 4 kg Condition Excellent antique condition. The glass is clean and clear both internally and externally, with no chips or cracks noted. The stoppers are exceptionally well preserved and remain in excellent condition. The gilt-bronze mounts retain substantial original gilding. There is some minor tarnishing and spotting, particularly around portions of the lower edges and upper collars, consistent with age. There are no significant dents, dings or structural damage to the metal mounts. The glass bodies are mould-blown, with the individual characteristics associated with early French glass manufacture. Please examine all photographs carefully, which form an integral part of the condition description. Bronze Doré The term bronze doré refers to the traditional French technique of gilding bronze and related metals using a gold-mercury amalgam. The object was coated with the amalgam and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate and leaving a durable layer of gold adhered to the surface. This demanding technique was extensively employed by French craftsmen during the 18th and 19th centuries for luxury furniture mounts, clocks, candelabra, porcelain mounts and other prestigious decorative objects. The extensive use of gilt-bronze on these decanters gives them the character of luxury French decorative arts rather than conventional table glass. Directoire & Neoclassical Influence The decoration reflects the Directoire and early Neoclassical aesthetic, which developed in France during the period of the Directory, approximately 1795–1799, and continued to influence French design into the early 19th century. Directoire design represented a transition between the late Louis XVI style and the subsequent Consulate and Empire periods. It retained the classical vocabulary of antiquity while adopting a more restrained and architectural approach. Motifs such as laurel wreaths, beaded borders and classical ornament became particularly characteristic of this design language. The present decanters employ this vocabulary in a particularly elegant manner, with the restrained rectangular glass bodies providing a sophisticated setting for the richly ornamented gilt-bronze mounts. A Remarkable Pair These are unusually impressive examples of early 19th-century French decorative glass, distinguished by their: Rare emerald-green glass Substantial 4 kg combined weight Elaborate gilt-bronze mounts Solid glass ball stoppers Neoclassical laurel and beaded decoration Exceptional matched-pair presentation Whether displayed upon a drinks cabinet, bar or antique tray, these decanters possess considerable visual presence. A particularly desirable pair for collectors of French decorative arts, early Baccarat, antique glass, bronze doré and Neoclassical design, and an exceptional addition to a sophisticated interior or private collection. We ship tracked, worldwide.

Dimensions:
Height: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)Width: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Depth: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Glass
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
ca. 1830
Condition:
Seller Location:
Nottingham, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU9003251348652

Materials

Glass

French Emerald-Green Glass Port Wine Decanters with Gilt-Bronze Mounts, ca. 1830

About the Item

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