The matching vases are distinguished by their elegant, elongated cylindrical bodies, which widen gracefully towards the bases to form gently flared, rounded feet. Their proportions create an architectural silhouette characteristic of French decorative glass from the Belle Époque.

Both vases are made of grey-toned glass with a softly frosted, subtly textured surface. The upper rims are finished with broad gilded bands, providing a warm contrast to the cool grey background.

The decoration consists of delicate violet flowers, individually painted in shades of lavender, purple and white, with subtle yellow centres. Some blossoms are arranged in small clusters near the bases, while others are scattered along the tall cylindrical bodies, creating a light, naturally balanced composition.

Finely painted gilded stems and leaves accompany the flowers. The combination of coloured enamel and gold decoration lends the vases a particularly refined appearance.

Although conceived as a matching pair, the individual placement of flowers varies between the two vases, adding visual interest while preserving their harmonious overall design.

Historical Background:

François-Théodore Legras (1839–1916) was an important French glassmaker who directed the Saint-Denis glassworks near Paris. Under his leadership, the manufactory became one of France’s major glass producers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Legras developed an extensive range of artistic glass, particularly enamelled and gilded vessels featuring flowers, leaves and landscapes. His decorative production became an important part of French glassmaking during the Art Nouveau period.

Works by the Legras glassworks are represented in French museum collections, including the Musée du Verre François Décorchemont in Conches-en-Ouche, which has exhibited and catalogued numerous examples of the factory’s artistic glass.

The present pair displays stylistic and technical features associated with Legras production, including the frosted grey glass, polychrome enamelled violets and gilded floral decoration.

Neither vase bears a visible maker’s signature. The attribution to Legras & Cie is based on stylistic comparison and remains unconfirmed.

Origin: France
Period: Circa 1900
Maker: Attributed to Legras & Cie
Style: Art Nouveau
Material: Frosted glass, polychrome enamel and gilding
Signature: Unsigned
Quantity: Pair of two vases

Dimensions:
Height of each vase: 35.6 cm

Weight:
Total weight of the pair: 2.38 kg

Condition is shown in the photographs.

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The vase has a distinctive elongated form, combining a tall, slender cylindrical neck with a rounded bulbous lower body and a subtly flattened circular base. The narrow circular opening is finished with a delicate gilded rim.

The grey-toned frosted glass surface has a softly textured, almost hammered appearance, providing an elegant background for the carefully executed polychrome enamel decoration.

Clusters of violets in rich purple, lavender and white are distributed across the long neck and rounded body. Each blossom is individually detailed, with yellow centres and subtle variations in colour. The flowers are accompanied by finely gilded stems and leaves, whose delicate outlines contrast with the subdued grey glass.

The composition combines the naturalistic botanical decoration typical of Art Nouveau with a particularly graceful and monumental silhouette. The gilded floral details and subtle tonal variations give the vase an appealing decorative character.

Historical Background:

François-Théodore Legras (1839–1916) was an influential French glassmaker associated with the glassworks at Saint-Denis near Paris. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Legras & Cie produced a wide variety of decorative glass, including enamelled and gilded vases, cameo glass and other ornamental objects inspired by flowers and nature.

The manufactory became particularly known for decorative glass produced during the Belle Époque, when French glassmakers developed new artistic approaches to colour, texture and surface ornamentation.

The present vase displays several decorative characteristics associated with Legras production, including the frosted glass finish, polychrome floral enamelling and gilded details.

The vase bears no visible manufacturer’s signature. Its attribution to Legras & Cie is stylistic and has not been independently confirmed.

Origin: France
Period: Circa 1900
Maker: Attributed to Legras & Cie
Style: Art Nouveau
Material: Frosted glass, enamel decoration and gilding
Signature: Unsigned

Dimensions:
Height: 39.5 cm

Weight: 1.6 kg

Condition is shown in the photographs.

The post Legras Art Nouveau Glass Vase with Enamelled Violets, France, circa 1900 first appeared on Antique weapons, collectibles, silver, icons, bronze, swords, daggers...

The vase features a tall, slender cylindrical body rising from a circular spreading foot and terminating in a spectacular flared, deeply ruffled rim. The undulating mouth is enhanced by delicate gilded edging, creating an attractive sculptural silhouette.

The frosted and subtly textured glass surface is decorated with finely enamelled violet flowers in shades of purple, lavender and white. The delicate blossoms are arranged asymmetrically on slender stems, accompanied by foliage picked out in warm golden tones.

The combination of translucent greyish glass, soft floral colours and restrained gilding is characteristic of French Art Nouveau decorative glass of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The vase is attributed to Legras & Cie, an important French glass manufacturer established in Saint-Denis near Paris. François-Théodore Legras (1839–1916) became particularly celebrated for his innovative decorative glass, including enamelled floral compositions, acid-frosted surfaces and nature-inspired designs. His glassworks were among the significant producers of French artistic glass during the Belle Époque.

The present vase closely follows the decorative vocabulary associated with Legras production, particularly in its floral enamelling, frosted finish and elegantly shaped rim.

The vase is unsigned; the attribution to Legras & Cie is based on stylistic and technical characteristics rather than a manufacturer’s mark.

Origin: France
Period: Circa 1900
Maker: Attributed to Legras & Cie
Style: Art Nouveau
Material: Frosted glass, polychrome enamel and gilding
Signature: Unsigned

Dimensions:
Height: 25.5 cm

Weight: 660 g

Condition is shown in the photographs.

The post Legras Art Nouveau Glass Vase with Enamelled Violets, France, circa 1900 first appeared on Antique weapons, collectibles, silver, icons, bronze, swords, daggers...