Pair Of Cups (stemmed Bowls) Made Of Mercury-gilded Bronze And Cut Crystal, Empire Style, At

An exceptional pair of cups (or stemmed fruit bowls) from the First Empire period, made after a documented design by Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843), Paris, circa 1810.
Each piece consists of a finely cast, chiseled, and mercury-gilded (gold-bronze) bronze base supporting an imposing hand-cut crystal bowl. The circular bowls feature a rich, star-shaped radial cut in the center, surrounded by a complex pattern of diamond points and edged with a scalloped frieze.
The gilded bronze bases are exceptionally delicate; they take the form of tapered pedestals entirely adorned with elongated motifs of acanthus leaves and palm fronds, surmounting registers of classical decoration. The ensemble rests on a square, stepped base, giving the piece its powerful architectural silhouette, characteristic of the finest decorative objects of the Empire period.
Although these examples are unsigned, this specific model is listed in period inventories as a creation by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, one of the most famous Parisian bronze casters of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The fact that these two pieces have been preserved together as a pair greatly enhances their decorative impact as well as their appeal to collectors.
One of the cut-glass bowls has a damaged area (chip/missing piece), clearly visible in the photographs. The gilding has retained a beautiful antique patina, with signs of wear consistent with its age.
Manufacturer/Model: Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843)
Origin: Paris, France
Date: Circa 1810
Period: First Empire
Materials: Mercury-gilded bronze (gold bronze) and hand-cut crystal
Dimensions of each piece: 20 cm high × 23 cm in diameter
Condition: Good condition for its age, consistent with the object’s age. One of the crystal bowls has a significant chip or break along the rim, as clearly shown in the photographs. Slight and normal wear on the gilding.