A 19th Century Russian Hand-Cut Crystal and Dore Bronze Encrier de Bureau

Description

An Incredible and Quite Rare Russian Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Encrier de Bureau with Double Headed Eagles, Griffin, and Imperial Style Mounts. The encrier de bureau is arranged upon a circular cut crystal tray with a scalloped rim formed by radiating petal shaped sections. The crystal surface is cut with fan, diamond, and crosshatched patterns, while the tray rests within a gilt bronze frame supported by paw feet. Rising from the center is a tall cut crystal column mounted with gilt bronze collars and surmounted by a carved crystal finial. The finial is decorated with an internal floral basket motif appearing as an etched or molded bouquet enclosed within the crystal. Four crystal vessels surround the central standard and are arranged symmetrically upon gilt bronze supports. Two covered containers are fitted with domed crystal lids surmounted by gilt bronze double headed eagle finials. One open vessel is fitted with a pierced gilt bronze cover intended as a sander or pounce pot, while another retains an open circular collar designed for an inkwell insert. A narrow gilt bronze socket projects at the front for the placement of a pen or quill. The gilt bronze framework is cast with scrolling foliate ornament, laurel garlands, acanthus leaves, and griffins forming open handles around the crystal cups. Winged supports rise beneath the vessels, their muscular bodies, taloned feet, and spread wings integrated into the structural mounts. The gilt bronze border enclosing the tray is engraved with repeating foliate motifs, palmettes, and Imperial style ornament associated with Russian decorative arts. This encrier de bureau is Russian in origin and follows the Imperial Russian tradition of luxury desk accessories produced for aristocratic and official interiors during the nineteenth century. Russian workshops working in St. Petersburg and Moscow frequently combined cut crystal with gilt bronze mounts, drawing upon Neoclassical, Empire, and Byzantine influences that remained prominent throughout Imperial decorative arts. Writing sets of this type were intended for placement on desks, library tables, and administrative furnishings, incorporating separate compartments for ink, drying sand, correspondence materials, and sealing implements. The use of heraldic eagles, griffins, and formal architectural ornament reflects decorative themes commonly encountered in Russian bronze mounted objects of the period. The piece displays sharply defined crystal cutting and detailed bronze casting throughout. The crystal vessels and central column exhibit geometric cutting with deep facets and polished surfaces, while the gilt bronze mounts retain chased detail across the laurel borders, acanthus ornament, griffin handles, and eagle finials. Russian bronze work of this type often emphasized sculptural mounts, heraldic devices, and substantial castings, characteristics reflected in the animal forms and architectural framework of the present example. Encriers incorporating complete crystal fittings, figural gilt bronze mounts, and multiple functional compartments are encountered less frequently than simpler desk stands. The preservation of the four part arrangement, together with the quality of the crystal cutting and gilt bronze work, supports the rarity and complexity of this example. Russia, Circa: 1800's

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