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Details / Information for Centerpiece

Centerpiece

c. 1880
design probably conceived by

Eugène Rousseau

(French, 1827–1891)
glass probably made by

firm of Appert Frères

(French)
retailed by

firm of Escalier de Cristal

(French)
Culture
France, Paris
Medium
glass with gilt metal mounts
Measurements
Overall: 13.3 x 48 x 28.2 cm (5 1/4 x 18 7/8 x 11 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of John L. Severance (by exchange) 2001.36
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
221 19th Century Decorative Arts
Print

Description

The retail firm of Escalier de Cristal seems not to have directly manufactured the wares they sold, but they exercised design control and sometimes brought together craftspeople of various talents and training to execute their stylish goods. Eugène Rousseau was not himself a craftsman, but he acted as a sort of editor, and glass and ceramics were made under his supervision. The glass of this bowl, with its cast relief decoration and colored inclusions, is of a kind associated with Rousseau. It is known that much of his glass was actually made by the firm of Appert Frères. In terms of style, this Centerpiece reflects the interest in things Japanese, which was an important element in the luxury goods made around 1880. The swimming fish and the naturalistic details of the gilt metal pinecones and twigs tied with string suggest this Asian source of inspiration.
A centerpiece features a shallow glass bowl with swirls of dark red and hazy teal. A raised design of two fish swimming among bubbles circles the translucent exterior. Gilt metal branching mounts form textured handles on our left and right, adorned with leaves. Four matching gilt legs curve outward from the base to support the bowl.

Centerpiece

c. 1880

Eugène Rousseau, Appert Frères, Escalier de Cristal

(French, 1827–1891), (French), (French)
France, Paris

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