Varied objects

These two gilt bronze candle holders, forming a pair, were made in the late 1880s. They bear the signature of l’Escalier de Cristal under their base.

The latter takes the form of an upside-down stylised lotus flower, whose petals are decorated with chiseled Japanese motifs. Between each of them, thin leafs with finely detailed veins escape. The cylindrical shaft of the candle holder presents a succession of motifs similar to those present on the base. But also two crayfish in relief whose antennae wrap around each other.

Resting on a pedestal decorated with traditional Asian motifs of chiseled texture, the polylobed body of our perfume burner is pierced with four openings allowing the diffusion of odors. It is also surmounted by a removable collar featuring a set of leafy and flowery branches inspired by the Asian flora between which small bats flourish.
It seems, however, that there was originally a lid.

This bell was most certainly made by the house L’Escalier de Cristal at the end of the 19th century. Made of ivory and gilded bronze, it is a characteristic example of the eclectic taste of this period. Indeed, artists are strongly influenced by Asia and its ornamental forms. Nevertheless, one also continues to see on art objects a European ornamental vocabulary inherited from the previous century.

L’Escalier de Cristal actively participates in the development of the taste for the Far East by publishing small decorative objects and luxury furniture in the style known as «japonisant». The production of the house is recognized for its quality of execution and the refinement of its decors as is the case on our doorbell. Its creator did not content himself with making an everyday object reduced to its mere usefulness, but devoted himself to magnifying it by creating a sculpture in precious materials, thus creating a small work of art.