Late 19th C French Fire Gilt Ormolu Cut Glass Table Box, Attributed to Baccarat

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Late 19th Century French Fire-Gilt Ormolu and Cut Crystal Table Casket, Attributed to Baccarat

A refined French fire-gilt ormolu and … Read more Late 19th Century French Fire-Gilt Ormolu and Cut Crystal Table Casket, Attributed to Baccarat

A refined French fire-gilt ormolu and cut crystal table box, dating to the late 19th century and attributed to Baccarat. The rectangular casket is executed in heavy crystal, cut in the pointe de diamant (diamond point) pattern, with a richly faceted surface that sparkles with light. The base is finished with a classic starburst cut (étoile taillée), a hallmark of Baccarat’s precision craftsmanship.

The crystal is mounted in finely chased fire-gilt bronze, the band encircling the box decorated with laurel leaf and berry motifs, symbols of victory, eternity, and refinement within the French neoclassical tradition. The lockplate is adorned with a foliate wreath surrounding the keyhole, adding both ornamental and symbolic significance, as the casket was intended to hold cherished personal objects, jewels, or keepsakes.

The ormolu mount retains a rich, warm fire gilding, applied by the traditional mercury gilding process, and features a continuous rear hinge—an indicator of the precision fittings used by Baccarat and other leading Parisian luxury workshops of the period. The box opens to a generous interior, ideal for use as a boîte à bijoux (jewel casket), boîte à bonbons (sweetmeat box), or wedding casket.

This elegant piece exemplifies the sophistication and luxury of the Belle Époque era, when Baccarat crystal was sought after throughout Europe and beyond for its brilliance and refinement.

Dimensions: 5.25" W × 3.75" D × 3.5" H
Attribution: Baccarat, France, circa 1880–1900
Condition: Minor rim nicks consistent with age, mounts bright and well-preserved. See less