Baccarat Japonisme Circa 1880

Rare cabaret refreshment service complete with a circular tray with raised rim, a carafe with attached handle and its cylindrical glasses in muslin crystal. The set features a homogeneous amber coloring, tinted in the mass, with exceptional transparency and finesse.

Use of translucent and opaque enamels applied in great thickness. These fused glass drops (turquoise, pink and milky white) create a tactile relief imitating inlays of hard stones and pearls.

Lustre and Metallic Irisations:
The main medallion, featuring a stylized tree, benefits from a metallic salt treatment. This hot-gloss process gives the decoration changing metallic reflections, characteristic of the ceremonial pieces presented at the World's Fairs.

Brown gold gilding:
The asymmetrical branch motifs and border fillets are executed in pure gold, worked with agate to obtain a metallic lustre contrasting with the matte finish of certain enamels.

Support:

Mousseline crystal (very finely blown). Producing such a decoration on such a fragile support is a major technical feat, as the crystal must not deform during the successive firings of the enamels and gilding.

Condition:
Museum quality. Perfect integrity of enamel reliefs and gilding. No apparent cracks or chips.

Marking:
Not signed (in keeping with Baccarat production of this period, identified by paper labels). Attribution is formal by technique, crystal shade and stylistic repertoire.

Historical note:
This service is a direct witness to the "Demonstration of the Exclusion of the Bohemian Manufactures", a period during which Baccarat surpassed its European competitors by the finesse of its mousseline crystal and the richness of its jewel enamels, asserting the superiority of French taste and technique.