Antique French White Opaline Baguier Tazza, c. 1850–1875
A charming mid-19th-century French white opaline baguier or small tazza, delicately hand painted with a continuous ribbon and berry garland.
The shallow bowl is drawn into six softly shaped points, each traced with fine gilding, and raised upon a slender pedestal stem and circular foot. Inside, a twisting blue ribbon winds around the bowl among delicate sprigs of orange-red berries and green foliage, creating a particularly lovely contrast against the luminous white opaline.
Fine painted details continue below, with slender pink lines and a gilt collar accenting the stem and concentric pink rings decorating the foot.
The opaline itself is especially beautiful. In transmitted light, the milky white glass takes on subtle shifts of tone and translucency that give 19th-century opaline much of its distinctive visual character.
Known in France as a baguier, pieces of this form were used on the dressing table to hold rings and other small personal treasures. Its sculptural form and delicate painted decoration make it equally beautiful today on a vanity, bedside table, or displayed among a collection of antique French opaline.
Details
Origin: France
Period: Third quarter of the 19th century
Date: Circa 1850–1875
Material: White opaline glass, hand-painted enamel and gilt decoration
Form: Baguier / footed tazza / ring dish
Height: Approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm)
Width: Approximately 4.45 inches (11.3 cm) at widest point
Foot Diameter: Approximately 2.4 inches (6.1 cm)
Condition
Very good antique condition. The hand-painted decoration remains bright and well preserved. There is light age-appropriate rubbing to the gilding along portions of the shaped rim. The painted decoration to the stem and foot remains crisp. No chips or cracks noted.
A beautifully preserved and highly decorative example of 19th-century French opaline, particularly lovely for its unusual six-point form and delicate hand-painted garland.
