Antique French Black Opaline Glass VaseHand-Painted Flowers and Gilt Trellis, Napoleon III — France, 19th Century

DETAILS:
Size: Height 31 cm (12.2 in) · Diameter at rim 16 cm (6.3 in)
Material: black opaline glass, hand-painted and gilded
Style/Period: French Napoleon III, 19th century
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide
Condition: excellent; glass glossy and unmarked; painted decoration and gilding bright and intact throughout
Returns: accepted within 30 days

Black opaline glass held a particular fascination for the Napoleon III interior. Where the clear and coloured opalines of the Restoration and Louis-Philippe periods had favoured pale, delicate tones, the Second Empire developed a taste for deep, glossy black glass as a dramatic ground for hand-painted decoration — the darkness of the body making every touch of gilt and every painted flower read with far greater intensity than it ever could against a pale surface. Vases made this way were display pieces above all, meant to hold their own on a mantelpiece against gilt mirrors and marble.

This vase is French, Napoleon III period, nineteenth century, in glossy black opaline glass, hand-painted and gilded. The form flares generously from a stepped, bulbous pedestal base to a wide trumpet mouth, the classic proportions of the period's decorative vase. Across the body, a gilt trellis of interlocking geometric lattice work climbs upward, entwined with delicate gilt vine tendrils and small blue forget-me-not flowers scattered along the framework. Set within and around this gilt structure, larger polychrome blooms are painted by hand in soft pink, white, and gold tones, gathered into loose bouquets at the widest point of the vase — the contrast between the disciplined gilt geometry and the freer, more naturalistic painted flowers giving the decoration its layered depth. The base is banded with further gilt striping, tying the ornament at top and bottom together.

The vase is in excellent condition, the black glass glossy and unmarked, the painted decoration and gilding bright and intact throughout. It stands as a genuine statement piece — ready for a mantelpiece, a console, or a cabinet where its scale and colour can be fully appreciated.

It arrives professionally packed and fully insured. Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

Condition

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

European Union: no customs and no import charges. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days after dispatch.

United States: Maison Jaspers pays the tariffs and import duties for you.

United Kingdom: UK import VAT is payable on delivery (5% for antiques over 100 years old, otherwise 20%).

Other destinations: local import taxes may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you would like guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. Returns are free within the Netherlands and Belgium; from elsewhere you pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

Return instructions and your consumer rights