➤ Item Condition :Good - Lightly used, with very light scratches, or minor cosmetic wear, but has no structural issues. Most antique and vintage items fit this condition.
➤ Restoration Work & Modifications :No restorations or modifications have been made
➤ Product stock :In France
➤ Delivery information, number of packages:1
Description :
A remarkable and highly decorative 19th-century French glass globe, richly decorated with an extraordinary assortment of chromolithographic decoupage motifs and presented on an elegant turned brass pedestal.
The glass sphere displays a wonderfully colourful and highly individual composition. Swallows and other birds appear in flight amongst butterflies, flowers and romantic motifs, while charming figurative scenes include children, horse riders, figures in period costume and horse-drawn carriages. The abundance and variety of these images beautifully reflect the imaginative decorative spirit associated with 19th-century folk art and the popular art of decoupage.
The motifs are arranged against an atmospheric mottled background combining shades of turquoise, aqua, soft pink, gold and earthy tones, producing an almost iridescent effect and giving the globe remarkable visual depth. Every angle reveals a different detail, making this a particularly engaging and unusual decorative object.
The sphere rests upon a finely shaped brass support with a turned baluster stem and substantial circular stepped base. The brass has developed an attractive aged patina that complements the rich colours of the globe.
Importantly, the glass globe is removable and simply rests upon the brass pedestal; the two elements are not permanently attached. The globe has a circular opening to its underside, concealed when positioned on the stand. While its distinctive form recalls 19th-century glass wig or hat stands, its precise original purpose remains intriguing. The opening may possibly have allowed the globe to be illuminated from within, although no original lighting mechanism is present and this cannot be confirmed.
Today, the piece should therefore be considered primarily as a decorative object rather than used to support a wig, hat or other item. With its generous proportions, whimsical imagery and fascinating construction, it makes a striking example of 19th-century decorative folk art and a wonderful addition to an eclectic interior or cabinet of curiosities.
