A Pair Of Very Fine Enamelled Vases c1880

Description

Heading : A pair of  very fine quality continental enamelled vases
Date : 1880
Origin : Harrach Bohemia or most probably Baccarat France
Colour : Slate blue glass cased with white and colour with enamelled birds and insects in flight detailed in gilt and with beaded feet
Bowl : Compressed ovoid form
Pontil : Polished  
Glass Type Lead
Size : 19.3cms tall
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks
Restoration : None
Weight : 1480 grams

These exquisite vases are decorated in what the French would describe as Japonisme. The enamelling is of the very highest standard and extremely detailed.The design was almost certainly inspired by Japanese woodblock prints from the first half of the 19th century. The birds depicted are asian shrikes and many thanks to our ornithological “consultant” for advising us of this. The blossom is that of a prunus variety.

These were almost certainly made by either Harrach or Baccarat and we favour the latter as they were renowned for this specific decorative style featuring birds. The cased and moulded glass is also more typical of Baccarat. This is also dense lead glass and this makes it unlikely to have been produced at Harrach when the decorative style was at it’s peak in popularity. That said they are very reminiscent of designs by Josef Riedel.