Pittet Architecturals Bowls and Baskets

A fine carved rock crystal square bowl, created by Phoenix Gallery.

A small carnelian crystal bowl, hand-carved from natural Brazilian carnelian stone. Perfectly polished to a high gloss to reveal its rich, translucent banding in shades of burnt ora...

Rock crystal vessels were highly demanded and valuable in Medieval times. Inventories from European royal houses and the highest aristocratic families detail the important and sophisticated collections of ewers and bowls. Rock crystal has also been used extensively in religious art. Fine European reliquaries were also made of Rock Crystal including gems, enamel and other precious materials. The work of rock crystal is very ancient. The materials has been worked and valued for its solidity and its purity: it has been believed to be water ice permanently frozen. Our superb example is a gold-mounted rock crystal bowl with enamel. The items origin is not clear and various features and characteristics may lead us to think of different origins and periods of creation. A single piece of stone mounted with gold could be a Milanese work. Although the cut could be French as similar pieces belonged to the French royalty (especially the art lover Duc de Berry, (1340-1416)). French and Italian crystal cutters have been active at the same time and it is often difficult to differentiate their works. Islamic art also influenced European artists. The famous Fatimid treasury provided examples of their sophistication and quality. The seven ewers carved for the Fatimid Imans (known as "The Magnificent Seven") display impressive quality of both rock crystal and enamelled mounts. Even though not identical to works by French silversmith Jean-Valentin Morel who was appointed goldsmith to Queen Victoria in 1852 or Reinhold Vasters (1927-1909) another renown German goldsmith who embellished older rock crystal items, there are similarities between these works. Both reduce their use of colour to black and white on pure gold mounts. Moreover the black enamel design is quite similar. Also, no gems are included and no human figure is represented. Sotherby's described our bowl as a "German Rock crystal bowl with later gold mounts, 15th century." Other items from the period from Germany or Austria are usually silver mounted and the decorations are more colourful and include gems or human figures but they have in common enamel motifs. In our case, the gold foot, handles and rim could date from the 1900s. An expert has established the foot, handles and rim are pure gold. The goldsmith responsible for the improvement of the bowl is possibly the most famous Reinhold Vasters whose work has been displayed in the greatest museums such as the V&A in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Rock Crystal bowl we have is gold mounted. The gold shows in enamelled details that are black and white. The gold handles are also enamelled with black acanthus-like leaves. The enamelling method could be "champleve" or "painting metal". The metal that is usually preferred is copper but these techniques are also applied to gold. The bowl itself could be from the 14th century. It's cut reminds of an estimated 14th century rock crystal ball bearing the Buoncompagni family arms...

Pair of Chinese Ginger jars dating from the end of the 19th century. Lids with phô dogs as handles. Decorated with colorful birds and flowers. Very elegant and delicate. Red stamp be...

Qing dynasty an unique antique important rare Chinese enameled Famille rose porcelain bowl with mark DaQingDaoGuangNianZhi , hand painted. ...

Painted and glazed clay bowl with Moorish designs. Early 20th century Fez, Morocco.

French Modern Carved Rock Crystal Diminutive Organic Bowl This exquisite modern French bowl is masterfully hand-carved from a single piece of natural rock crystal, showcasing its st...

Early 20th century oak splint gathering basket with a large wood handle and plenty of room for holding berries, vegetables, or any myriad of floral. Today it's perfect for hanging on...

Antique Chinese Porcelain Kitchen Qing Famille Rose Plate China, 19th Century. Lovely piece Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery T...

19th century French copper pot with lid. Beautiful 19th century French Provincial copper cooking pot with original lid. This French piece has not b...

Sharing with you this very nicely Dutch decorated Chinese Porcelain Kangxi bowl. What you see is a Jingdezhen made porcelain bowl from around 1710-1730. L...

Lovely Chinese porcelain bowl with a cantonese scene of flowers in a Garden. Famille Rose. Base has an overglaze red mark, endless knot. Additional information: Material: Porcelain...