Early to mid-1800s French opaline 8-lobed bowl with elaborate ormolu casement making it into a basket with added blue opaline beads or berries, leaves of pressed brass. A raised matching grape leaf base makes it 4 1/2" tall with handle up and 5 3/8" across the bowl. A bonboniere, or bonbon. Charming for collector or for use at table, or fabulous guest soap basket in your powder room. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The earlier 1800s works come forth with the opaline beads or grapes, like this one. Sometimes as centers of flowers, also seen here. It might miss some of the original blue opaline beads, and one dangling branch at center top of handle is attached by the wire stem, so actually moves. Oddly, those beads have some gold paint on them. One will want to remove that, I think - simply chip it away, likely. There are no imperfections on the white opaline bowl, and it is most beautiful with 8 lobes. Not even a single tiny mip to the broad glass at rim. The ormolu is very nicely preserved, and handle is hinged to lie flat or be displayed up, either way. Gorgeous old thing!
