"Monumental Cup In Onyx And Gilt Bronze With Polychrome Enamels, Napoleon III Period, Ca 1880"
1. Professional and Artistic Description: We are pleased to present for sale a superb and exquisitely detailed ornamental cup, a testament to the pinnacle of French decorative arts during the last quarter of the 19th century.
This masterful piece is crafted from milky-opaque veined onyx, a highly prized material at the time (Algerian onyx) for its ability to enhance gilt bronze mounts.
The cup rests on an elegantly flared foot, itself anchored to a circular onyx base. The finely chased and gilt bronze mount, along with the enamel decoration, gives the object its exceptional character:
- The Enamel Decoration: The neck and foot are encircled by spectacular friezes of polychrome cloisonné and champlevé enamels. The foundry's technical excellence is evident in the fineness of the molten mesh that structures the motif before the enamel powder is applied. These ornaments present a Neo-Greek and Orientalist repertoire of palmettes, arabesques, and stylized floral motifs in a palette of vibrant colors (lapis blue, turquoise, carmine red, white).
- The Handles: Two majestic handles, or a single handle depending on the piece, in richly worked gilt bronze, stand out from the onyx body. Their sinuous forms, sculpted with foliate elements and scrolls, reflect the exuberance and attention to detail characteristic of the period.
2. Historical Context and Attribution (Circa 1880):
This cup is a perfect illustration of the Eclectic style in vogue under Napoleon III and the Third Republic. It is in the style and spirit of the production of the prestigious Ferdinand Barbedienne firm (1810-1892).
Ferdinand Barbedienne, known as the "Prince of Industry and King of Bronze," is famous for reintroducing and perfecting the technique of enameling on bronze, often in collaboration with the talented ornamentalist Louis-Constant Sévin (1821-1888).
Pieces combining onyx, gilt bronze, and enamel, presented at the Universal Expositions, were symbols of luxury and artistic innovation.
3. Commercial and Collector's Interest:
This type of object, combining the cool nobility of onyx with the warm glow of gilt bronze and the shimmer of enamel, is a powerful decorative piece and a social marker of the 19th-century upper class.
Its state of preservation, the purity of its lines, and the virtuosity of its ornamentation make it a prime acquisition for any discerning collector of Napoleon III/Belle Époque period objets d'art, or for anyone wishing to add a touch of historical opulence and unparalleled refinement to their home.
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