Legras & Cie. - Vase - Rare and large Legras vase, Cambrai shape, 'Nil Green' series, decor with gilded thistles, Vers, - Glass, Gold - H. 37 cm

Superb and rare large tapered “Cambrai” form art glass vase created by François-Théodore Legras (1839–1916) at his famous Legras & Cie / Montjoye manufactory (Verreries de Saint-Denis), dating from the Art Nouveau period (circa 1890–1900).
This exceptional tapered model named “Cambrai,” listed as a reference in “Legras” by Michel and Vitrat (2012), was made with a guilloché background in the historic “Vert Nil” shade, an exclusive specialty of the glassworks achieved through acid treatment, giving the glass its matte, frosted and delicately textured appearance.
The body of the vase is beautifully enhanced with a substantial acid-etched high-relief decoration depicting flourishing Lorraine thistles and thorny leaves. This entire naturalistic motif, highly symbolic of the Nancy School and Art Nouveau, is enhanced by sumptuous fine-gold gilding, applied by hand in relief. The neck is accented with an elegant circular gold band, completing the piece.
The base has a smooth ground pontil, typical of the high-quality mouth-blown production of the Legras house. A magnificent testament to French glassmaking expertise at the end of the 19th century.

This is a sublime and beautiful, very rare collector’s piece, representative of Legras’s craftsmanship and Art Nouveau aesthetics.

Detailed description:

• Artist: François-Théodore Legras (1839–1916)

• Model / Series: Large tapered vase named “Cambrai” / cylindrical, widening toward a circular foot, from the very fine “Vert Nil” (or Vert Impérial) series, decorated with gold thistles against a guilloché background. (See the last 3 photos, taken from the reference book “Legras” mentioned above, for the model and color.)

• Manufactory: Legras & Cie / Montjoye (Saint-Denis, France)

• Period / Style: Art Nouveau (circa 1890–1900)

• Signature: This model is unsigned, like most pieces in the “Vert Impérial” series, as noted in the reference book “Legras” by Michel and Vitrat (2012). (See the last photo.)

• Condition: Excellent condition. The gilding on the body of the vase is remarkably well preserved. A few very slight losses of gilding in places on the rim of the neck, but these are minor. No chips, no cracks. (See the many photos.)

• Dimensions
- Height: 37 cm (prestige size)
- Maximum width (at the middle): 8 cm
- Neck diameter (D): 5 cm
- Base diameter: 10 cm
- Weight: 0.820 kg (820 g)

• Materials and color: Art glass colored throughout in “Vert Impérial.”

• Surface technique:
- Matte, frosted effect achieved by acid etching over a guilloché background.
- Decoration: Acid-etched reserve, entirely painted and enhanced by hand with fine gold.

• Shipping:

Careful and highly secure shipping (two new boxes, thick new bubble wrap).
Sent with signature required and a tracking number.

Our shipping prices include insurance, packing costs, collection, and delivery against signature, and are determined according to the parcel’s weight, the item’s value, and its destination.

- WITHIN the EU: Shipped via Colissimo-La Poste within the European Union. Other carriers are possible on request (any additional charges, if applicable, will be borne by the buyer).

- OUTSIDE the EU: Shipped exclusively via Colissimo / La Poste outside the European Union. However, if you wish to use a carrier other than La Poste for shipping outside the European Union, this is possible but will require a new calculation and therefore an additional cost, which may be substantial depending on the parcel’s specifications, the item, and the destination country, and will be borne by the buyer.

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