Biedermeier Large Bohemian Crystal Perfume Bottle With German Sterling Silver

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An elegant and sculptural large-sized perfume or cologne bottle, crafted from refined hand-cut crystal and finished with a German sterling … Read more An elegant and sculptural large-sized perfume or cologne bottle, crafted from refined hand-cut crystal and finished with a German sterling silver mount; its slender shape is unusual and distinctive, and even the stopper echoes the bottle’s lines; high-quality lead crystal was used in its creation, giving the crystal itself a high refractive index; through artisanal manual techniques of cutting, grinding, and polishing, the bottle’s surface creates extraordinary plays of light and reflections; the entire body of the bottle features extremely precise handcrafted detailing. This type of craftsmanship, executed with great skill and subsequently carefully polished, creates an effect of extraordinary brilliance and light refraction, enhancing the purity and transparency of the crystal. The technical characteristics of the grinding—depth of the cuts, precision of the geometries, and quality of the polishing—are typical of the great tradition of Bohemian crystal, one of the most celebrated European centers for the art of glass between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. When the production of so-called “crystal”—achieved through specific additives that made the glass clearer and more luminous—was perfected in the 15th century, Bohemia—an ancient region of Central Europe already renowned for glassmaking—quickly adopted these technical innovations. During the 17th century, Bohemian master glassmakers further developed this expertise, creating a crystal of exceptional purity and brilliance that became famous throughout Europe: the renowned Bohemian crystal. The neck of the bottle is adorned with a 925 sterling silver collar, hallmarked with a crescent and crown, the official German silver mark introduced in 1888. The hallmark is accompanied by the silver fineness mark and the silversmith’s mark, which is unfortunately not perfectly legible. The metal setting creates an elegant contrast with the transparency of the crystal and lends the piece a refined and precious character. The stopper, also made of cut crystal, harmoniously echoes the bottle’s design language with a tapered silhouette that completes the composition with great aesthetic balance. The presence of German hallmarks allows us to date the creation of the setting to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely between 1890 and 1900. It was, in fact, a widespread practice in the trade of the time to purchase prestigious crystal produced in Bohemia and subsequently mount or finish it with silver elements in Germany, Austria, or France. Thanks to its generous dimensions, this object is not merely a functional container but a true decorative element with a striking presence, capable of capturing light and enhancing any setting. It is perfect for placement on a dressing table or vanity in an elegant bedroom, on an entryway console, inside a display cabinet or sideboard in a classic setting, or as a sculptural element on a coffee table in a contemporary interior. The purity of the crystal and its contrast with the silver make it particularly well-suited to both classic, Art Deco, or Belle Époque settings, as well as modern interiors, where a single object with a strong character can become the focal point of the composition. A refined and rare object that combines the tradition of Bohemian crystal with the quality of German silverware, reflecting the taste and elegance of European craftsmanship from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Dimensions Height: 37 cm (14.57 in.). Diameter: 15 cm (5.9 in.) See less