Description: Made in France in the Napoleon III neoclassical era, this perfume set of four bottles is held in a cask of what is called in America "gilt bronze" and is called bronze doré or ormolu in France. Bronze doré has always been expensive, but less expensive than solid gold. It's a luxury material with the entire bronze surface coated in gold -- typically 18 or 24 karat, and it's an art form requiring painstaking skill and dexterity. However, the bronze doré process produces mercury fumes that are so dangerous that it was outlawed in France in 1830. The law was not well enforced and the practice continued to the end of the 19th century. If perfect, this bronze doré set would be valued at $600 or more, but it has some damage and I believe the stoppers are not all original since they don't match. However, all of them are cut crystal, fit well, and are correct for the period. The crystal bottles are all intact except for chips to the necks of two of them, as shown. Despite these damages, this set is still very rare, and still very beautiful. My price reflects the damage on these pieces. The four hand blown crystal bottles are triangular in shape, and the neck of each has a bronze doré collar. The cut crystal stoppers have ground glass ends, and vary in size and shape, as shown. The bottles fit precisely together within their bronze doré cask which features draped, classical figures alternating with torches wrapped with ribbons and roses. The set measures 4"H x 2" in diameter, not including the height with the stoppers.
Price: 195 USD
Location: Richmond, Virginia
End Time: 2024-12-01T19:58:34.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Type: Bottle
Country/Region of Manufacture: France
Handmade: Yes
