Amethyst glass and gilt metal centrepiece bowl by Christofle

This beautiful centrepiece bowl, wrought from ormolu and brilliant amethyst cut glass, is by the leading French producer Christofle. The bowl is raised on an elaborate ormolu base, the structure of which is imitative of natural branches—the four legs resembling cut twigs, for instance. This mock wooden structure is laden with ormolu leaves, berries, and searching vines. The ormolu throughout is superbly cast and finished, the smallest of details—such as the veins within the leaves—clearly visible. The bowl is flanked by twin cherubim, each of which holds aloft a piece of fruit and sits upon the handle beneath. This playful inclusion hinting at the abundance of fruit the bowl is destined to contain.

The amethyst coloured cut glass bowl rests within the ormolu structure, its rich colour complementing the warmth of the gilt bronze. The bowl features a shaped lip, the edge of which is defined by repeated semi-circular crests.

The ormolu is distinctly stamped ‘Christofle’.