20th Century French Louis XV Rococo Style Ormolu Cherub and Cut Crystal Vase

Details

Description

An exceptionally decorative French Belle Époque gilt-bronze and glass urn or vase, conceived in the exuberant Rococo Revival taste and … Read more An exceptionally decorative French Belle Époque gilt-bronze and glass urn or vase, conceived in the exuberant Rococo Revival taste and distinguished by its elaborate sculptural mounts, finely worked floral decoration, and particularly charming figural handles. Combining a substantial transparent glass body with richly modelled gilt-bronze ornament, the piece has the lavish, theatrical character associated with the finest French decorative arts of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The principal body of the urn is formed from heavy clear glass, possibly crystal, although without examining the piece in person it would be safer to describe it simply as glass. The glass has been extensively cut and moulded with pronounced vertical fluting, giving the surface a lively optical quality. Light passing through the deeply articulated body produces attractive reflections and emphasizes the contrast between the cool transparency of the glass and the warm golden color of the surrounding metalwork.
The form itself is particularly elegant. A broad, slightly tapering body rises through rounded shoulders into a dramatically constricted neck before flaring outward toward the mouth. The elongated neck is vertically fluted, creating a strong upward movement and giving the otherwise substantial vessel a surprisingly graceful silhouette. Around the mouth is an elaborate gilt-bronze collar or gallery composed of pierced scrolling foliage and rocaille ornament, providing a suitably ornate termination to the glass.
The most memorable feature is undoubtedly the extraordinary pair of figural handles. Tall, sinuous gilt-bronze supports rise from the shoulders in sweeping Rococo curves, their outlines enriched with acanthus leaves and asymmetrical scrollwork. Each culminates in a sculptural seated putto or cherubic figure, creating a whimsical and distinctly French sense of fantasy. The figures are individually posed and appear to hold or interact with slender attributes, giving the composition animation when viewed from different angles. These sculptural elements elevate the object well beyond the character of an ordinary decorative vase.
Across the front of the glass body is a magnificent applied gilt-bronze garland. Naturalistically modelled flowers and foliage extend across the center in a generous swag, suspended beneath a ribbon-and-bow motif. The decoration incorporates blossoms, leaves, berries and trailing details, all deeply cast to create a rich interplay of light and shadow. This combination of floral garlands, ribbons, acanthus leaves and playful putti draws upon the decorative vocabulary of eighteenth-century French Rococo design, reinterpreted with the greater scale and opulence favored during the Belle Époque.
The lower portion is equally accomplished. The glass vessel is seated within a substantial gilt-bronze base, modelled as an extravagant arrangement of spreading acanthus leaves and scrolling feet. Rather than merely supporting the vase, the base appears almost to grow organically around it. Deeply chased leaves curl outward and downward, creating a broad and visually stable foundation while continuing the flowing naturalistic theme found throughout the piece.
Stylistically, the urn is best described as French Rococo Revival or Louis XV-style, probably of the Belle Époque period. “Belle Époque” and “Rococo” are not mutually exclusive descriptions: Belle Époque refers broadly to the cultural period in France from the later nineteenth century until the First World War, while Rococo Revival describes the historical style being referenced. During this era, French makers enthusiastically revisited the great decorative traditions of the eighteenth century, particularly the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, producing highly luxurious objects for sophisticated domestic interiors.
The workmanship suggests an object intended to make a considerable decorative statement. The quality lies not only in the quantity of ornament but also in the successful integration of very different materials. The transparent glass prevents the elaborate bronze mounts from becoming visually heavy, while the gilt bronze gives definition and richness to the otherwise colorless vessel. The open spaces between the sweeping handles further contribute to the sense of lightness.
Whether displayed empty as a sculptural object or used for an ambitious floral arrangement, this urn would command attention in a formal interior. Its considerable scale, intricate casting and elaborate figural ornament make it particularly suitable for a console, center table, pedestal or mantel where it can be viewed from several directions.
A splendid example of French historicist decoration, the piece successfully combines the romantic exuberance of the Rococo Revival with the technical sophistication and luxurious materials associated with Belle Époque craftsmanship. The boldly fluted glass body, extravagant gilt-bronze floral garlands, scrolling acanthus mounts, spreading foliate base and delightful putti surmounting the handles create an object of remarkable presence. Both sculptural and functional, it is a wonderfully opulent expression of the French decorative tradition and an impressive statement piece in its own right.



Dimensions: 33.75 inches high x 15.5 inches wide x 6.25 inches deep See less