Manufacture Du Creusot Or Baccarat - Rare Pair Of Crystal Medicis Vases With Violets - Restoration Period, Louis Philippe - Troubadour, Neo-gothic Style

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Pair of Medici vases
Moulded and cut crystal
Dimensions : H. 13 ; D. 9 (to neck) (cm.)
Creusot, circa 1840

A charming and unusual pair of "violet" vases, given their size. Médicis shape, resting on a pedestal decorated with a rosette. The upper part is decorated with a frieze of ogives. The lip is strongly gadrooned.

This model is listed in the joint production catalogue of Saint Louis and Baccarat in 1840 under the name "Gothic". However, this model was produced earlier by the Le Creusot factory.

The Le Creusot factory
Crystal was virtually a British monopoly in the 18th century, which is why Louis XVI sought to have the national industry produce all imported objects, and created a Crystal Factory under the patronage of Queen Marie-Antoinette. The management was entrusted to Messrs Lambert and Boyer, from Autun, and the factory was set up in Sèvres.

But the directors soon realised that, in order to compete with English crystals, it was necessary for the Crystal Works to be located near a centre that could provide them with fuel at a lower price than in Paris. After careful on-site studies, they decided to move their crystal works to Le Creusot.
Construction of the new facility began in 1785.

Why was the Montcenis coalfield chosen as the site for the Queen's Crystal Works?
There were several reasons. The first was that the mine at Le Creusot was known in high places for its excellent coal, which already supplied the Royal Foundry. The second reason was that there were sand quarries in the immediate vicinity that were perfectly suited to the intended use (the Rue de la Sablière led to these quarries, located on the Place de la Molette).
In addition to these reasons, there was another: the good lead ore that was also found nearby, at Saint-Prix-sous-Beuvray, and which was used to make crystals. 
(Pilonet Association)

Condition report: 
In excellent condition from all visible angles, but chips on the underside.