Legras Glass and Silver Opera ‘Muff’ Flask or Absinthe Bottle c1895

Description

Heading : Legras glass and silver opera ‘muff’ flask or Absinthe bottle c1895
Date : c1895
Origin : Paris France
Decoration : Cameo glass with hand decorated lily of the valley. repousse silver lily of the valley lid & cup
Size :  Height 15.3cm. base diameter 2.4cm
Condition : Two very small nibbles to the base of the stopper. slight compression mark to cover. flea bites to the base of the bottle
Restoration : None
Weight :  88.1 grams gross

Nothing could illustrate La Belle Epoque better than this exquisite absinthe flask.  Imagine arriving at the opera with this beautiful marriage of glass and silver full of absinthe secreted in your muff or glove.

The beautiful lily of the valley design of the glass bottle by Legras is echoed in the silver mounts by Baudet of Paris.  The small cup slides off. the silver cap and glass stopper are removed and you discretely pour yourself a small drink as the curtain rises on the Second Act. Music Maestro please!

Eric Knowles Comments

Very similar bottles were made by Daum. It is the very high relief enamel and simple elegance that shows that this is a Legras design rather than Daum. Most of the Daum examples are decorated with mistletoe and have two tone glass or are of a solid colour. These are frequently mistaken for perfume bottles.