Pair of Napoleon III Opaline Glass & Ormolu Tassel Vases, Paris, Circa 1870s

Pair of Napoleon III Patinated Bronze Patina 5-Light Candelabra France Circa 1870s A exquisite pair of Napoleon III patinated bronze candelabra, crafted in France during the 1870s. Standing at an impressive 30 inches tall, these candelabra are a true testament to the opulence and craftsmanship of the era. Each candelabrum features a central figural sculpture of a bird holding a serpent, perched upon a tortoise. This intricate sculpture showcases the attention to detail and artistic skill of the bronze sculptor. Above the sculpture, a five-light bobeche candelabrum adds a touch of grandeur and elegance to the piece. Supported on a fluted column, the candelabra rest on triparte acanthus leaf and lion caryatids with paw feet. These decorative elements add a regal and classical aesthetic, reflecting the influence of the Neoclassical style during the Napoleon III period. In their recent use, the candelabra were adapted as lamps, and as a result, the bird finials are now removable. They were previously used as lamp finials...

Pair of Opaline Floral Vases, Attributed Jean François Robert for Baccarat France, Mid 19th Century Jean-François Robert was a 19th Century French enamellist, active at Baccarat ...

Napoleon III Period Émile Gallé A Pair of Cabinet Vases Multi-Color Enamel, Clear Art Glass Nancy, France Circa 1870s DIMENSIONS Height: 3.57 in Upper diameter: 1.63 in Width: 2,25 in Bottom diameter; 1.63 in MARKINGS Both vases are signed in enamel at the base, bearing the mark ‘E. Gallé Nancy.’ ABOUT VASES “The aim of my work: The study of nature, the love of nature's art, and the need to express what one feels in one's heart.” – Emile Gallé These exquisite, museum-quality vases are highly collectible and in great demand due to their representation of the very origins of the master’s distinctive oeuvre, tracing back to the 1870s. At that time, French applied arts were marked by the extraordinary Napoleon III style, which blended vibrant polychrome hues, lacquered surfaces, and intricate painting techniques. This style drew inspiration from Renaissance ideals of beauty, Baroque gilding, Neoclassical lines, and the sensuality of Rococo. This particular pair of cabinet vases uniquely amalgamates several prevailing artistic styles of the period, including Impressionism, Trompe-l'œil, Realism, and Romanticism. Each vase is adorned with multi-colored enamel paintings depicting fantastical designs, featuring insects fluttering among an array of exotic grasses and flowers. Both vases are further embellished with exquisite applied glass sea shells, a Rococo-style handles on their sides. Despite their identical classical form, the paintings on each vase differ significantly, yet together they form a surprisingly harmonious composition. ABOUT ARTIST Émile Gallé Gallé (French, 1846 – 1904) Born on May 4, 1846 in Nancy, France, Émile Gallé mile Gallé seemed destined for a career in glassmaking. Nancy was well-established for its glass artistry, and his father, Charles Gallé was an established faïence (ceramic) and glassmaker with his own successful manufactory, the Maison Gallé-Reinemer. It would be here under the guidance of his father that the young Emile began to learn the art of glassmaking while simultaneously indulging his academic interests in philosophy, botany and chemistry. In 1867, Gallé joined his father working full-time at the Maison. Gallé's glasswork, even at its earliest stages, was heavily influenced by nature, with his very first pieces incorporating enameled floral motifs painted upon clear glass. He was an avid botanist his entire life, collecting plants, flowers, and insects from which to study and draw inspiration. He was even elected Secretary-General for Nancy's Société centrale d'horticulture. Gallé traveled throughout Europe studying works at museums and private institutions, gaining insight from ancient glass antiquities to Japonesque masterpieces, and everything in between. It would be Gallé’s trip to the British Museum in 1871 that would alter the course of his art career. Enamored by the famed ancient Roman cameo glass...

Pair of hexagonal porcelain vases decorated with multicolored flowers. The midnight blue background is highlighted with gilded floral motifs and foliage. Napoleon III period. circ...