Baccarat: Exceptional “tantale” Liqueur Cabaret, In Gilded Bronze And Cut Crystal.

Cristalleries de BACCARAT.
 
Exceptional and extremely rare “CABARET” LIQUEURS service, comprising a large gilded bronze quadrangular-base stand with chased, openwork lines inspired by Art Nouveau and Rocaille,
and a set of three carafes and eleven small glasses (one missing) in fine translucent, hand-blown and tool-worked crystal, decorated with hand-cut honeycomb motifs in lanceolate friezes.
This is the Baccarat “Richelieu” model (also known by the technical name “taille n°5777”).
Interestingly, the shape of the decanters - a rounded form - is very rare on the market, and constitutes a notable originality.
The decanters are surmounted by their respective stoppers, made of molded-pressed clear crystal with chased facet decoration, reflecting light and amplifying brilliance.
 
The upper part of the liqueur cellar swivels (allowing access to the decanters), and is fitted with a handle for gripping, as illustrated in the various photographs.
 
Early - but very luxurious - work from the Manufacture de BACCARAT; between the end of the 19th and the first quarter of the 20th century.
Due to its early date, this object is not signed.

However, it is reproduced identically in the 1916 Baccarat House Catalogue, devoted to Tableware: see plate no. 87, reference S.802 (copy of the catalog attached to the ad photos).  See photos n°6 and 7.
It is also easy to recognize the “Richelieu” pattern decorating glasses and decanters, a Manufacture classic here revisited in a different form and design.

This is a relatively rare piece, and above all, a beautiful one: the crystal/bronze alliance always works wonderfully.
A very luxurious piece, with great allure.

- DIMENSIONS -
- decanters (liqueur cellar fittings):
   - total height of a decanter, with its stopper, 20.50 CM ;
   - the height of a decanter, base only, without stopper, 17.00 CM;
   - the diameter of a decanter, at the base (bottom), is 06.30 CM ;
 
- glasses :
   - height of one glass, 07.50 CM ;
   - diameter at base (bottom), 03.80 CM ;
   - diameter at rim (top): 03.30 CM;
 
- overall dimensions of liqueur cellar (bronze frame):
   - length, 28.00 CM ;
   - width, 17.50 CM ;
   - height, 23.00 CM.

- STATE OF PRESERVATION -
 
Overall condition is very good.  There are no noticeable accidents or wear.
The crystal is limpid, brilliant and unaltered, and the gilding on the metal is generally well preserved.
There are, however, some small, discreet marks of use, which are usual on such an old object, but which are hardly noticeable and in no way detract from its interest.
Nevertheless, here they are, listed exhaustively below, with cross-references to the illustrative photos:
- the set consists of three decanters and eleven of the twelve glasses. There is, therefore, one glass missing;
- on four of the eleven glasses, there are tiny signs of wear and tear around the rim (top), too small to be properly photographed. These are not chips or accidents: the lenses in question are still perfectly usable, with no problems. They are fine marks of friction, not sharp, not serious and not very visible (so small, therefore, that they cannot be photographed);
- on the central decanter, there is a small, discreet internal impact at the neck, which is not very visible, especially when the decanter is capped with its stopper: see photo no. 14;

- on the next decanter, the same type of chip, also discreet (photo no. 15).  Circular marks or “welts” are also present on the inside, rather inconspicuous and discreet (traces of a contained liquid?), illustrated in photos no. 12 and 13;
- a few stains on the gilded metal, as shown in photos nos. 10 and 11.

All decanter stoppers are original (corresponding engraved numbering). Original stoppers.
With the exception of the aforementioned micro-shocks, the decanters remain in perfect condition overall.
 
The condition of this cabaret remains very good.
The few items mentioned above do not alter it much, and are part of the history of the object, which is over one hundred years old.  They are hardly noticeable, with the possible exception of the missing shot glass.