Ceramics

This very rare head-to-head coffee set in silver and gold (platinum) metallic reflected porcelain bears the signature of l’Escalier de Cristal. The pinnacle of refinement was achieved in the second half of the 19th century, most certainly for a wealthy American collector.

Stored in its original box with the initials H.E.B in brown leather, our very elegant service consists of a poly-lobed tray, a coffee maker, a covered sugar bowl, a milk jar as well as two cups and sub-cups hence its name from head to head. These different elements are decorated with motifs of flowers and flying insects of golden colour that stand out on a silver background made thanks to the technique of glaze with metallic reflection. The tray is also marked in its center with the HEB monogram.

Quality of execution and refinement of the decor make this planter an extremely elegant example of the pieces produced in the Japanese taste by l’Escalier de Cristal
Inspired by Japanese enamels, the decoration appears on a blue background, finely enhanced by golden spirals. A nightingale in flight stretches its wings over graceful peony flowers while a second bird is placed on a branch decorated with a delicate lattice of golden highlights. “Queen of flowers”, the peony is associated, in China, with the aristocracy and more generally with the idea of prestige and honor, thus attesting that this planter was intended for an elite cultivating an elegant and refined art of living. The delicacy of the colours, meanwhile, particularly highlights the elegance of the design and the naturalism of the subject, testimony of the Japanese taste of the late nineteenth century. 

This earthenware bowl mounted in bronze was made for l’Escalier de Cristal. The label, with slightly discoloured edges, remains as a whole legible and reads “L’Escalier de Cristal – n°1 rue Auber”. Its Asian style and the address indicated allows to date this cup after 1872, since it is the same year that the store moved to the new district of the opera.

Supported by a patinated bronze frame, our enamelled ceramic bowl features a colourful and flowery decoration inspired by Asian motifs and flora, the latter are highlighted by golden contours imitating Chinese cloisonné enamel. The bowl is placed on four carved bronze feet in order to reproduce the shape of elephant heads resting on their trunks. This shape of feet is very common in the production of ceramic objects mounted by the Crystal Staircase, as is the decoration in faux cloisonné. Two handles also shaped like an elephant’s head and retaining a ring adorn the sides and hold the bronze coronation.

Similar model to the previous cup, nevertheless this one doesn’t have its label anymore and the decoration is lightly different.