Medici Vase In Opaline, Charles X Period

Inspired by antiquity, the classic form called "Medici" of this vase is in white opal crystal or "milk opaline". On a pedestal, it is set in a chiseled and gilded bronze mount, the upper part decorated with two birds treated in the round posed on curved branches drinking and the lower part with a laurel torus motif ring. This motif of doves drinking from the fountain was discovered at Hadrian's villa in Tivoli. Circa 1815-1830. From the end of the 18th century, France began to produce colored or opaline crystal. Many objects were made whose first forms were strongly inspired by Antiquity. But it was during the Restoration that colors such as "pigeon throat, milky white or turquoise..." appeared, made possible by the addition of gold salts. Thus, famous factories such as those of Le Creusot, Baccarat or Saint-Louis became the main production centres.
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Bibliography: French opaline in the 19th century/Yolande Amic.- Paris: Gründ, 1952. Edith Mannoni, Opalines, Paris, Editions Ch. Massin, pp. 31-43; J. Bedel, “Crystal in romantic colours... Opaline”, L'Estampille/L'Objet d'art, 1975, n°63, p 23.