This stunning foursome is definitely worthy of a collector’s dining table. Featuring two wine glasses and two hock glasses (though either goblets or chalices would be a more apt description) made in the late 19th century by Bohemian designer Moser.
Moser stands easily head-high with his French contemporaries, though his style is perhaps more definitive. Instantly recognisable for fine gilding and enamel painting, the “Moser” identity is one much copied – especially by those pesky Venetians; it can however, be easily told apart by the sheer quality of both design and execution. It should be remembered that in the early days, Moser used blanks made by Harrach so attribution is sometimes difficult. As with many glass-makers, customers could choose “Blanks” and “patterns” to create a bespoke collection – this makes individual pieces of early Moser glassware almost unique.
Though these glasses are two pairs, they were obviously chosen to go together. These glasses have a green flash to the top, gold and platinum enameling in a classic stylised leaf form and are set with “jewels” (glass beads to represent rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls.) The wine glasses have a stubby stem but generous bowl (and gilt edged foot) while the goblets stand taller, with a hollow ridged stem and prominent “prunt”. They were probably made and sold on the Persian market, though their original provenance is anyone’s guess.
Dimensions
- Goblets stand a little over 18 cm tall with base diameter of 7.5 cm and aperture of 7 cm
- Wine goblets stand a little under 14 cm, base diameter 6.75 and aperture of 7 cm
- Green flashed Harrach blank with gilded edging
- Gold and platinum enameling set with “jewels”
- Immaculate condition
- C1885 – 1900
This item has now SOLD
If you are interested in this set, please complete a contact form quoting stock number AP2025
C’est magnifique non? Going with our decorative AND practical theme, here we show a gorgeous art deco period set of cocktail sticks in a stylish stand. There are twelve chrome sticks with forked ends perfect for swooshing your glace cherry through your pink gin (its all very roaring 20s). Each topped with a red “cherry amber” catalin (bakelite) ball. I’ll come back to those in a moment.
What we do know is that the set is French and dates to the late 1920s or early 1930s. This is where those sticks come in again. The top of each stick has a slightly angled extra chrome top. This was typical of the period but was not used in later reproductions. The set is in fabulous condition with very little pitting to the chrome and no damage that we can see to the structure. 
This giant bottle is a real talking point. Its size suggests a decanter, however the style suggests a scent bottle. I think we’ll leave it up to the buyer to decide. It is a large pear shaped blown glass bottle comprising four panels each with a floral star design cut into the glass. Between the panels rise four beveled columns giving form and texture to the design.
standard collar and ball lid – one supposes, but there is a twist…literally. The lid is secured by turning the cap anti-clockwise. On the underside the cap twists in a second collar and has two prongs which slip into recesses on the main collar. By turning the cap, the prongs enable the cap to lock into place.
Here we present a gorgeous little scent bottle in its original shaped, folding case. The bottle itself is of cut glass (probably crystal) but is simple and elegant. Inside, the bottle has the world’s smallest stopper but the piece-de-resistance of this lovely bottle is its cap. Made in 14 carat gold and etched with a Greek key border and similar ring on the top. It is further imprinted with little four point designs in rows. The work is very fine and beautifully executed.
we thought the bottle may have been 18th century, this oak leaf mark was used in the Netherlands from about 1850 onward. Although stylistically, the Greek Key was more common in the late 18th century; information on the oak-leaf mark prior to 1850 is scant so the bottle may still be earlier but hedging our bets here on mid-to-late 19th century.
The case is leather and is shaped to fit the bottle exactly – even down to having notches for the hinge on the lid. The case is further lined with blue silk and velvet (though the velvet has lost some of its colour. There has been a small amount of damage which means the top section of the case doesn’t meet fully but given its age, this is forgivable.
Its a rough and tumble, rag-tag bag of miscellany and confusion this world of antiques and whether at the lower end of the market or the fine arts end there are many pitfalls and mistakes made from both sides of the counter. So I thought a few tips might be in order. I do want to make it clear that I have been guilty of many of these mistakes myself, so I hope I am speaking from experience.
