A Rare Pair of French Opaline Finger Bowls with the Imperial Cipher of Napoleon III, c.1855–1870
A Rare Pair of French Opaline Finger Bowls with the Imperial Cipher of Napoleon III, c.1855–1870
A beautifully refined pair of French bols en opaline — opaline glass finger bowls — each decorated with the gilded crowned N of Napoleon III. These elegant Second Empire pieces were almost certainly produced for the Imperial household and formed part of a formal table service or guest apartment setting.
The milky translucency, wide flared rims and hollow feet are characteristic of high-quality mid-19th-century opaline, and the bowls exactly correspond to examples preserved today at the Château de Fontainebleau. The form and material are strongly associated with the Cristallerie de Clichy, one of the principal suppliers of luxury opaline to the Emperor’s palaces.
The Imperial monogram is finely rendered in gold leaf; one bowl retains crisp gilding while the other shows gentle softening from age and use — entirely consistent with authentic court service pieces. Finger bowls from Napoleon III’s own table are scarce, and matched pairs such as this are exceptionally uncommon.
An elegant and historically resonant pair of French Imperial glass.
Condition: Minor wear to gilding, one monogram softened; no chips or cracks.
Please see images.
Comparable examples: Château de Fontainebleau, Service de l’Empereur.
Description
A beautifully refined pair of French bols en opaline — opaline glass finger bowls — each decorated with the gilded crowned N of Napoleon III. These elegant Second Empire pieces were almost certainly produced for the Imperial household and formed part of a formal table service or guest apartment setting.
The milky translucency, wide flared rims and hollow feet are characteristic of high-quality mid-19th-century opaline, and the bowls exactly correspond to examples preserved today at the Château de Fontainebleau. The form and material are strongly associated with the Cristallerie de Clichy, one of the principal suppliers of luxury opaline to the Emperor’s palaces.
The Imperial monogram is finely rendered in gold leaf; one bowl retains crisp gilding while the other shows gentle softening from age and use — entirely consistent with authentic court service pieces. Finger bowls from Napoleon III’s own table are scarce, and matched pairs such as this are exceptionally uncommon.
An elegant and historically resonant pair of French Imperial glass.
Condition: Minor wear to gilding, one monogram softened; no chips or cracks.
Please see images.
Comparable examples: Château de Fontainebleau, Service de l’Empereur.
