An exceptional early 19th-century French opaline perfume bottle dating to the Charles X period, circa 1820–1830, distinguished by its highly desirable lavender-blue, or bleu lavande, opaline glass.
Standing approximately 6” tall, the bottle has a beautifully balanced baluster form with its coordinating opaline stopper. The soft periwinkle-lavender glass is richly embellished with fine gold gilding, delicate red enamel line work, and a striking dark-ground frieze painted with scrolling gilt foliage and flowers.
Colored cristal d’opale reached particular prominence in France during the Restoration period, when the great French glassworks produced opaline in a remarkable palette of colors. The subtle lavender-blue seen here is particularly sought after by collectors and is documented among Charles X-period opalines.
The elaborate combination of gilded floral ornament, colored line decoration and contrasting dark ground is characteristic of the sophisticated Parisian decoration applied to fine opaline during the 1820s and is closely related to decorative work associated with Jean-Baptiste Desvignes and his workshop. While the bottle is unsigned and we do not make a definitive workshop attribution, its decoration belongs firmly within this important tradition of French Restoration-period opaline.
Nearly two centuries old, the bottle retains a wonderful presence and displays beautifully. There is age-appropriate wear and rubbing to portions of the gilding and painted decoration, consistent with its considerable age and visible in the photographs. The surviving decoration remains especially beautiful against the unusual lavender-blue ground.
A sophisticated and increasingly difficult-to-find example of Charles X French opaline, particularly desirable for its color, original form, and elaborate period decoration.
France, circa 1820–1830
Dimensions: Approximately 6” H × 3” W
Condition: Very good antique condition with expected age-related wear to the gilded and painted decoration. Please review photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.
