Legras & Cie (Attributed) - Bonbon basket - Art Nouveau...

Antique Art Nouveau / Jugendstil dressing box / bonbonnière – saffier blue optical glass with rich gold enamel – France, ca. 1900 (attributed to Legras & Cie / Saint-Louis) A splendid and rare antique French Art Nouveau jewelry box/bonbonnière (boîte de toilette), manufactured around the turn of the century (ca. 1890–1905). This elegant dressing piece perfectly embodies the refinement of the Belle Époque and the emerging Jugendstil movement in France. Features & Craftsmanship Material & Color: Hand-blown sodium glass in an intense, deep sapphire blue to turquoise tint. The wall of the jar is blown in an optical mold, creating a beautiful flowing texture that reflects light in a unique way. Decoration: Entirely hand-painted with rich, raised gold enamel (dorure à l'or fin en relief). The design features a beautifully stylized Art Nouveau motif of irises (a nod to the French fleur-de-lis) and lotus flowers, framed by a refined pearl edge (perles émaillées) of white enamel dots. Mounting: Original brass hinge frame with a perfectly functioning snap and lever closure. Base feature: equipped with a perfectly smooth ground and polished pontil mark on the underside, the ultimate hallmark of high-quality handcraft. Attribution: Unmarked, as is very common for this type of luxury glassware from this period. The specific glassblowing and enamel technique strongly points to production by the famous Verreries de Saint-Denis (Legras & Cie) or the Cristalleries de Saint-Louis. Condition: In excellent antique condition. The gold and white enamel is exceptionally well preserved with minimal aging wear. The glass has no chips, cracks, or restorations. The brass frame has beautiful authentic patina and closes well. Tiny air bubbles (seed bubbles) embedded inside testify to the artisanal production process. The pontil mark on the lid, as shown in close-up photographs, is not damage but part of the production process. A top piece for the collector of antique French glassware and Art Nouveau!

Estimate:£16.95

View all items fromCatawikiorMiscellaneous