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Rare green fluorescent glass UV UV-coffered box – enamelled Mary Gregory style – four-foot brass mount – Bohemia, late 19th century

Description

Remarkable antique box in transparent green glass that fluoresces strongly under ultraviolet light, adorned with a very beautiful white enamel decorative motif in the so‑called “Mary Gregory” style, presented in an elegant four‑foot elaborately worked brass mount.

Bohemia / Central Europe, late 19th century, around 1880–1900.

It is a model particularly attractive for the combination of several sought-after elements: the intense color of the glass, its spectacular UV reaction, the quality of the figurative decoration, the generous dimensions of the box, and especially its highly elaborate metal mount.

A particularly fine Mary Gregory decoration

The lid is entirely occupied by a figurative scene painted in white enamel, depicting a young boy in period costume moving through a vegetative landscape.

The execution quality deserves note.

Unlike the more common Mary Gregory scenes, often treated quite schematically, the character here presents many details:

* carefully drawn face with eyes, nose and mouth;
* finely worked hair and hat;
* large collar and knot of the garment;
* folds and outlines of the costume;
* floating ribbon behind the figure;
* detailed hands, legs, and shoes.

The young boy is surrounded by a rich landscape of ferns, branches and foliage, worked on several levels to give depth to the scene.

The various thicknesses and shades of white enamel create a true modeling that is particularly decorative.

The body of the box also bears a delicate white enamel garland, composed of small flowers, foliage, berries, and heart-shaped motifs, running around its perimeter.

This type of figurative enamel decoration on colored glass is traditionally known as the Mary Gregory style, particularly associated with Bohemian productions from the second half of the 19th century.

Fluorescent glass under UV

The glass naturally shows a superb yellow/green to olive-green hue that is very bright.

Under ultraviolet light, it exhibits a very strong intense green fluorescence, clearly visible in the photographs taken under a UV lamp.

This spectacular reaction is characteristic of antique glasses containing fluorescent agents, notably productions traditionally labeled by collectors as uranium glass.

UV photographs are an integral part of the description.

An exceptionally decorative antique mount

The box is set in its old metal mount in brass/gold-toned metal, presumably made especially for this glassware.

It includes:

* a wide lower metal band;
* a upper band surrounding the lid;
* an old hinge;
* a small front locking system;
* four particularly decorative feet.

The four feet are formed of interlaced circular double volutes, each ending in a small ball.

This mount gives the piece a very architectural presence and clearly distinguishes it from the smaller Mary Gregory boxes more commonly simply ringed with metal.

The overall piece shows a pleasing harmony between the glass’s luminous green, the white enamelled decoration, and the warm patina of the metal.

Dimensions

Approximate dimensions:

* box diameter: 11 cm
* total height: 11.5 cm
* maximum base width, feet included: about 14 cm

These dimensions give the box a substantial presence.

Dating

Late 19th century

Around 1880–1900

Origin

Bohemia / Central Europe

Former Austro-Hungarian Empire territory.

Materials

* strongly fluorescent transparent green glass under UV;
* white enamel decoration;
* brass / gold-toned metal.

Condition

Good overall condition for a late 19th-century object.

The glass retains excellent transparency as well as a particularly bright color.

The figurative decoration on the lid remains very legible and retains most of its numerous details.

There are a few small signs of use, occasional wear and minor enamel losses, especially on certain parts of the figure and the decoration, fully consistent with the piece’s age.

The metal mount shows an antique patina, as well as traces of oxidation and normal wear.

Some small irregularities and bubbles are also visible in the glass, testimony to its old manufacture.

The opening mechanism, hinge and mount are present.

No obvious recent restoration is observed visually.

Photographs have been taken with care and are an integral part of the description. They allow close examination of the decoration, the glass, the mount, and their condition.

Collector’s value

This box brings together several features highly valued by collectors:

* 19th-century Bohemian glassware;
* Mary Gregory figurative decoration;
* highly UV-fluorescent green glass;
* hand-enamelled decoration;
* complete antique mount;
* four decorative feet;
* handsome dimensions;
* particularly detailed figurative scene.

The quality of the character and the richness of the lid’s landscape are clearly superior to many more common Mary Gregory productions.

A highly attractive decorative and collectible piece, equally appealing to fans of antique glassware, Mary Gregory, UV/uranium glass, and 19th-century vanity boxes and toilette objects.

The item will be carefully packed for shipping.