19th Century Champleve Enamel Mounted Onyx Centerpiece

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A 19th Century Champleve Enamel Mounted Onyx Centerpiece.

This piece features a trumpet-shaped onyx vase on a round onyx base, … Read more A 19th Century Champleve Enamel Mounted Onyx Centerpiece.

This piece features a trumpet-shaped onyx vase on a round onyx base, with intricate gilt bronze and enamel accents. The base of the centerpiece is supported by three figural mounts, each depicting a figure.
This decorative piece is also known as a "surtout de table" in French. Items like this were used to adorn dining tables or other surfaces in opulent settings, particularly during the 19th century. They served as a focal point, displaying wealth and artistic taste rather than having a specific practical function. The trumpet-shaped onyx vase at the top could potentially have been used to hold flowers, but its primary purpose was aesthetic. See less