Gilded French Liqueur Set by Legras, circa 1900
A delicate French gilded glass liqueur set, circa 1900, by Legras, comprising a cushion shaped carafe with a broad internal rib decor and a faceted stopper, with gilded flora and scrolling designs in relief, gold dust to the rim and handle, the eight petite cups of conforming design, with tray, monogram mark to the stopper and carafe, height 9.65 in., (carafe) length 11.02 in., width 8.07 in., (tray)
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- Carafe - A carafe is a type of container, typically made of glass, that is used for holding and serving liquids such as water, wine, or juice. Carafes typically have a narrow neck and a wide base and are designed to be poured from easily. They often have a handle for easy pouring and carrying. Some carafes have a stopper or lid to keep the liquid fresh and prevent spills.
- Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today. - Decor Bois - "Decor bois" is a French term that translates to "wood decor" in English. It refers to decorative elements painted on porcelain items that simulate decorations in timber, such as carvings.
- Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
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