Pair Baccarat ‘Moule En Plein’ Decanters 1825-1835

Description

Heading : Pair 19th century decanters
Date : 1825-1835
Origin : France
Colour : Clear
Stopper : Original moulded mushroom stopper
Neck : Slice cut witht three flute cut neck rings
Body : Drape moulding
Pontil : Snapped
Glass Type : Lead
Size : 27.5cm tall and 10cm in diameter
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks. clean and clear. nibbles to the base of the stopper pegs
Restoration : None
Weight : 3270 grams

Additional Information : With the work force depleted by war. Baccarat blower Ismael Robinet designed a near perfect manufacturing method for moulded decanters. Called ‘Moule En Plein’ it earned him an Academie gold medal. 800 francs and a generous pension. and provided Baccarat with one of its most distictive styles. The citation from the Academy of Science stated his soloution was ‘an instrument to facilitate and perfect the blowing of glass into moulds. aiding the health of the glassmaker and at the same time. giving a more perfect product. Combinations of diamonds. bamboo staves. drapes and leaves. accentuated by selective cutting. appeared on all maner of Baccarat glassware until the ealry 1840’s. The weight is due to both the thickness of the glass and the high lead content. 

References :

The Decanter. An Illustrated History by Andy McConnell – page 289 plate 409