Art Nouveau French Amethyst Glass Enamelled Pansy Vase from Legras, 1890s

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Hand-painted enamelled pansies set against a graduated amethyst ground define this French Art Nouveau glass vase. The piece transitions in … Read more Hand-painted enamelled pansies set against a graduated amethyst ground define this French Art Nouveau glass vase. The piece transitions in colour from a deep, rich violet at the cylindrical rim down to clear glass at the softly flared, fluted base. This slender, expanding profile is closely associated with the 'Lamartine' shape produced by Legras & Cie around the turn of the twentieth century. The botanical decoration depicts pansy blossoms in full bloom and bud, rendered in opaque polychrome enamels. Petals are shaded in bright cadmium yellow, lilac, and purple with fine black veining, accompanied by slender green stems and leaves. Surrounding the floral spray are delicate sprigs of meadow flora and grasses executed in fine gilt tracery, mirrored by stippled gilding applied around the cut upper rim. Blown in clear and coloured glass, the vessel responds vividly to transmitted light, which illuminates the purple gradient and highlights the raised texture of the enamel work. The underside displays a polished ground pontil along with faint painted workshop markings, though the vase itself is unsigned, as was typical for many production runs from the Saint-Denis manufactory. The vase stands 25.5 cm tall with a base diameter of 7.6 cm, though recorded listing measurements also note 30.5 cm (12 inches). It survives in excellent antique condition with no chips, cracks, fleabites, or restorations. The enamel relief remains securely adhered with bright pigmentation, and the gilt details retain good definition across the rim and body. See less