MONUMENTAL ONYX AND GILDED BRONZE TAZZA WITH POLYCHROME ENAMEL DECORATION, Napoleon III / Third Republic Period (circa 1880)

1. Professional and Artistic Description

We are pleased to present for sale a superb, richly decorated Ornamental Cup or Urn, which testifies to the peak of French Decorative Arts during the last quarter of the 19th century.

This masterful piece is executed in veined onyx of a milky opacity, a material highly prized at the time (often Algerian Onyx) for its ability to showcase gilt bronze mounts.

The cup rests on an elegantly flared foot, which is anchored on a circular onyx base. It is the finely chased and gilded bronze mount (possibly mercury gilt, known as vermeil), along with the enamel decoration, that confer the object its exceptional character:

- Enamel Decoration: The neck and the pedestal are encircled by spectacular friezes of polychrome cloisonné and champlevé enamels. The technical excellence of the foundry work is revealed in the finesse of the cast mesh that structures the motif before the insertion of the enamel powder. These ornaments feature a Neo-Greek and Orientalist repertoire of palmettes, arabesques, and stylized floral motifs in a vibrant color palette (lapis blue, turquoise, carmine red, white).

- The Handles (Poignées): Two majestic handles (or a single handle, depending on the piece), made of richly worked gilt bronze, stand out from the onyx body. Their sinuous forms, sculpted with foliated elements and scrollwork (rinceaux), reflect the exuberance and taste for detail characteristic of the era.

2. Historical Context and Attribution (Circa 1880)

This cup is a perfect illustration of the Eclectic style in vogue under Napoleon III and the Third Republic. It is in the taste and spirit of the production of the prestigious Maison Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892).

Ferdinand Barbedienne, described as the "prince of Industry and king of bronze," is famous for having reintroduced and perfected the technique of enamels on bronze, often in collaboration with the talented ornemaniste (designer/ornamentalist) Louis-Constant Sévin (1821-1888). Pieces combining onyx, gilt bronze, and enamels, presented at the Universal Exhibitions, were symbols of luxury and artistic innovation.

3. Commercial and Collector's Interest

This type of object, combining the cold nobility of onyx with the warm brilliance of gilt bronze and the shimmer of the enamels, is a powerful decorative piece and a social marker of the 19th-century high bourgeoisie.

Its state of preservation, the purity of its lines, and the virtuosity of its ornamentation make it a choice acquisition for any discerning collector of art objects from the Napoleon III/Belle Époque period, or for anyone wishing to bring a touch of historical opulence and unparalleled refinement to their interior.