DESPREZ ANDRIEU BACCARAT INCRUSTED SULPHIDE GLASS PAPERWEIGHT NAPOLEON I c1815

This beautiful sulphide paperweight, made by Baccarat, is a rare example of the various items made in the late 18C and early 19C which incorporated these wonderful cameo portraits of famous and historically important figures in the form of incrusted sulphides. This fine example is made of pure crystal glass and it features an incorporated silvery white sulphide of the profile of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French. This rare sulphide itself is of the highest quality, detailed in design and execution. The paperweight measures 5 cms (2) across the base by 4 cms (about 1½) tall. The sulphide is clearly visible from both sides of the enclosing glass which is bevelled.

At the curved bottom edge the cameo bears the name of Andrieu the French maker of the wonderful detailed medallions from which the finest of these sulphides of famous or distinguished subjects were derived. The piece was possibly made to mark the birth in 1811 of LAiglon (later the Duke of Reichstadt) the son and heir of Napoleon and his second wife Marie Louise of Austria. It weighs 206 gms before packing.

By 1780, Desprez was known as the sculpteur de premiere classe. His father had been engaged in the production of porcelain cameos at 2 Rue des Recollets-du-Temple in Paris but the son had worked on experimental inventions for these cameos for which he had obtained patents. Paul Jokelson tells us that according to the Paris Almanacs of 1821 and 1823, he switched completely to the incrustation of sulphides in glass. On page 63 of Mr Jokelsons book, he shows a photograph of this Desprez cameo profile of Napoleon mounted in a Baccarat flask. The Compagnie des Christalleries de Baccarat was established in 1765 and the business grew until the French Revolution in 1789, followed by the Napoleonic Wars, both of which had a disruptive and devastating effect on a maker of such fine luxury glass.

In 1817, the factory was bought by Monsieur dArtigues who decided that Baccarat would only make full lead crystal and followed a policy of returning to the rich customers as in pre-Revolutionary days. By the mid nineteenth century, Baccarat was again in the forefront of quality glass making using both traditional and original innovative techniques. Two new concepts, dating from about 1846 were the cameo and millefiori paperweights.

The Company was re-named the Compagnie des Cristalleries de Voneche Baccarat in 1824. Around this period, famous artist craftsmen elsewhere, such as Apsley Pellatt, were experimenting in the production of these wonderfully silvery incrusted portrait cameos. Condition This piece is in excellent condition for its over 200 year life. There are no cracks or restorations.

I always, as a matter of policy, use a signed for and tracked postal option and insure for the full value. I pack most carefully in good strong packaging for which I make no charge. I have also learned that with very small and/or fragile items, it is safer and more prudent to pack in a comparatively large box. Please feel free to ask any questions. The item "DESPREZ ANDRIEU BACCARAT INCRUSTED SULPHIDE GLASS PAPERWEIGHT NAPOLEON I c1815" is in sale since Monday, June 24, 2019.

This item is in the category "Pottery, Porcelain & Glass\Glass\Paperweights". The seller is "hollinshed" and is located in Hampshire. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country of Origin: France
• Colour: Clear
• Maker: Baccarat
• Glassmaking Technique: Hand Blown sulphide incrusted
• Type of Glass: Crystal
• Glassware Type: Paperweights