19th-Century French Toleware Basket with Gilded Floral Handle

Details

Description

This elegant 19th-century French toleware basket is a stunning example of Napoleon III decorative arts, embodying the refined craftsmanship and … Read more This elegant 19th-century French toleware basket is a stunning example of Napoleon III decorative arts, embodying the refined craftsmanship and opulent aesthetic of the period. Crafted from lacquered toleware, the basket features a gracefully scalloped form, lending it an organic and flowing silhouette. The rich black japanned surface serves as a striking canvas for the hand-painted gilded and polychrome floral motifs, intricately rendered with fine detailing and delicate scrollwork in shimmering gold, deep reds, and soft blues. These exquisite embellishments showcase the Rococo Revival influence that was highly favored in 19th-century French design.

One of the most distinctive features of this antique toleware basket is its ornate gilded metal handle, designed with an interwoven vine motif that is adorned with highly detailed foliate embellishments. The delicate intertwining of the metal mimics the natural beauty of winding branches and leaves, adding a sculptural quality to the piece. This finely cast handle gracefully arches over the basket, making it both a functional carrying vessel and a decorative objet d’art. The handle is securely attached to the basket with decorative floral fastenings, further emphasizing the basket’s cohesive botanical theme. See less