Ref.16137
“Gourd” bowl, engraved crystal and gilt bronze

This engraved crystal bowl is set within an intricate gilt-bronze mount. The motif of the gourd (coloquinte), frequently used in Japonist decoration, allows the piece to be dated to the last third of the 19th century. The scrolling foliage and fruits provide a pretext for abundant ornamentation on the openwork base. On either side of the crystal bowl, uprights imitate climbing plants, anticipating the vegetal ornamentation typical of the Art Nouveau style. The crystal is precisely engraved: one side of the bowl features a large veined leaf, while the other presents a circular arrangement of gourds and scrolling foliage. Pseudo-Chinese calligraphic signs appear in the lower registers. The removable openwork gilt-bronze lid closely resembles that of a vivarium signed Escalier de Cristal in the collection of Galerie Marc Maison. The ensemble is surmounted by a richly adorned elephant—a recurring motif in the creations of L’Escalier de Cristal—reclining upon an openwork network of lotus leaves and flowers. The animal carries on its back a basket filled with shells and stylized coral branches. The lid is crowned by a lotus blossom. Founded around 1808 by the widow Désarnaud, L’Escalier de Cristal was taken over by the brothers Georges and Henri Pannier from 1885 onward. They adopted the Japonist aesthetic then in vogue while maintaining the high level of craftsmanship for which the house was renowned. This bowl can therefore be dated to around that period.