Charles X Opaline Glass Vase

"Opal Morning" Vase
Materials: Opal glass, gilding
France, circa 1830–1850
Height: 30.5 cm
Condition: Near excellent (slight wear to the gilding)
________________________________________

This 19th-century opaline glass vase captivates with the elegance of its form and the delicacy of its gilded decoration. Made in France in the first half of the 19th century, it perfectly illustrates the refinement of opaline glass of this period and the taste for luminous and harmonious creations.
Its tall, undulating neck, enhanced with a gold rim and a turquoise border, rises above a balanced and graceful pear-shaped body. The milky whiteness of the slightly translucent opaline glass softly captures the light, lending the piece a noble and understated presence.

The composition of this 19th-century opaline glass vase, inspired by the Charles X style, reflects the French taste for classical forms and exquisite finishes. During the Restoration and the early Second Empire, major manufacturers such as Baccarat, Saint-Louis, and Choisy-le-Roi vied with one another in virtuosity in working with opaline glass, a highly sought-after material at the time. Artisans sought perfect symmetry of line and decorative restraint, where hand-applied gilding emphasized the contours without ever weighing them down.
The measured proportions and purity of the design evoke the spirit of the Charles X style: a subtle balance between classical heritage and romantic sensibility.
This vase, typical of the elegant salon décor of the mid-19th century, reflects the taste for decorative and luminous objets d'art. Its careful manufacture, satin surface and gilded highlights make it an emblematic piece of French glassmaking know-how, prized today by collectors and lovers of refined 19th-century objects.

Reference: 4151
More information