Oh, I love the old Grand Tour souvenir views of Paris, and this quite large decanter or scent bottle has 4 large ovals and a round one, all set into an elaborate shroud of brass, and decorating a fine early to mid-1800s opaline bottle. This is the largest we've found in ages. Grouped with some of our other eglomise souvenirs (back-painted glass), it's as close as we'll get to Paris for a while yet. Each painting is so nicely preserved, slightly convex polished glass panels, no breaks or cracks in any of them. The one in the cap is backed by mother of pearl so also shimmers in light. The old opaline tints slightly to lavender rather than the usual white. Can you see it?
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, but missing stopper. That's the simplest part to replace. The old opaline is excellent, no chips or hairlines, even in that slender neck. The brass shroud, collar, and base all are fully complete and wonderful. The hinged cap fits snug, nicely, and I will mention that there is a tiny tilt to the placement of the painting in that lid. A tiny fraction of an inch, but we'll mention it. Again, no breaks or chips to be found. Large at 5.5" tall, and the body of opaline is 2 3/8" square, extending beyond that with the casement and base with cabriole legs. Only thing it needs is to be displayed, or if you wish, a stopper. Charming!
