Material:  Crystal

Manufacturer:  Cristalleries de Baccarat
Size:  Height ~ apx. 5 & 3/4 inches,  Width ~ 2 & 5/8

Quantity:  1 pair = 2 bottles

Totally divine pair of antique French perfume flacons, featuring a very elaborate meandering floral, grape leaves, tendril and foliage decoration not uncommon to antique Baccarat bottles.
Dating to the 19th century Napoleon III era, c. 1850 - 1880.

We believe the decoration was applied via a typical period frosted acid etched method, that was then further enhanced with very high quality enameling.

The etched motif consists of five or six different types of flowers, as well as ferns, fronds, leaves, stems and other foliage.  The decoration on each bottle is is very similar, however one bottle is also adorned with grape leaves and grape clusters, as well as cat tails!

Unusual and colorful  pink, purple, red, blue, yellow and green enamel work was then applied to select flowers and foliate.  Additionally, each bottle features two different and very detailed enameled bugs or bees.

Both flacons have lovely old original gold gilt stoppers and gilt bottle necks.  Each is numbered on the bottom of the stopper, with corresponding numbers on the inside of bottle neck; one numbered 12 and the other, 9. See images below.

The bottles have wide polished pontil bases.

Both flacons are in exceptionally fine antique estate condition.  We carefully examined each bottle and found no cracks, breaks or similar issues.   We did note a minute fleck to edge of one bottle neck and a shallow, minor scratch to the flat bottom of one stopper, (#9, near the number) that feels very slightly rough to the touch.  Please see last two close up images above.  There is some light wear to gilt stoppers, more to one than the other and to a lesser degree, each bottle neck.   The frosted floral design and enameled work appears very nice.  The crystal bottles are clean and clear, with no noted cloudiness, stains or other marks.

We believe it likely that these fine 19th century antique bottles were made in France and although unmarked we suspect they were manufactured by Baccarat Crystalworks.   To obtain independent confirmation of this opinion we contacted Helen Farnsworth at The International Perfume Bottle Association,   (http:www.perfumebottles.org)  who replied;
I agree with your assessment that they are French and date to 1850-80 and perhaps made by Baccarat ~ the numbering, style of stopper, the gilding and high quality painting all point to Baccarat as the source....the feeling and the look is certainly of that era and for that country and company.

Truly a rare find.....a matching pair of fine condition 150 year old very good quality crystal vanity boudoir bottles, featuring unusual nature inspired aesthetic floral and foliate enamel decoration, complete with bugs!

Divine Pair Antique French Baccarat Crystal Perfume Flacons Cologne Bottles ~ Elaborate Floral Etching, Enameled Bugs, Bees & Flora, c. 1850 - 1880

$ 689.00