Centerpiece; French school; Third quarter of XIX century.

Centerpiece; French school; Third quarter of the nineteenth century.
Gilded calamine and acid-etched Baccarat glass.
Measurements: 63,5 x 44 x 25 cm.
This centerpiece of the French school, dated in the third quarter of the 19th century, is a representative work of the decorative taste of the period, where opulence and refinement merge in objects intended for the ornamentation of aristocratic interiors. The structure is made of gilded calamine, a material widely used at the time for its ability to imitate the effects of bronze at a more affordable cost. The design is in the late Rococo style, with sinuous forms, vegetal scrolls and zoomorphic details that evoke the decorative exuberance characteristic of this ornamental language.
The piece is crowned with an acid-etched Baccarat glass cup, a technique that allows the creation of delicate decorative motifs through surface engraving. The transparency and lightness of the glass contrasts with the solidity of the metal base, creating a harmony between materiality and form. The finials with dragon heads and openwork arabesques reinforce the symbolic and ornamental character of the piece, while the choice of materials and technical precision are evidence of the high level of craftsmanship of the French workshops of the time. This type of centerpiece not only served a decorative function, but also reflected the social status and aesthetic refinement of its owners.