Bohemian Cranberry Glass Persian Inspired Comport
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Comport - A comport is a type of decorative serving dish or bowl, typically used for desserts, fruits or other sweet treats. The comport is usually made from glass, silver or porcelain, which are materials known for their elegance and durability. They are often beautifully designed and decorated, and can be used as an elegant and decorative centerpiece for a table or dining room. They are also widely used as a decorative piece on the mantelpiece, sideboard, or other areas of the house.
- Cranberry Glass - Cranberry glass is a type of glass that is characterized by its deep red color. It was first made in the 19th century and was particularly popular during the Victorian era. It was typically used to make decorative items such as vases and figurines. The red color was achieved by adding gold chloride or selenium to the glass mixture during the manufacturing process.
- 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.
This item has been included into following indexes:
-
Bohemian (Czech Republic) glass wares
- cups and urns 23
- various wares 442
- centrepieces and comports - glass objects 234
Visually similar items
A fine Venetian red glass and gold wine chalice, decorated with a scene of Neptune and consorts. Floral scrolls and latticework with white enamel dot outlines, height 16.5 cm
A fine Moser gilded glass comport, later 19th century, in the Persian manner, the goblet style comport having eight mihrab inspired panels and raised plaques richly decorated with leaf and floral motifs, the panels encrusted with gilt paste in relief, rais
A Bohemian ruby glass tazza, 19th century, the shaped tazza raised on a tapering stem, the bowl with overlaid cameo medallions finely painted with female portraits and bouquets of summer blooms, profusely gilded with scrolls and tendrils throughout. Height
A pair of Bohemian glass comports, each with a portrait plaque, in green flashed glass, with gilded decoration and shaped rims,19 cm high