Cristalleries de Baccarat A fine pair of French ormolu-mounted 'Japanese-style' imitation rock-crystal glass vases circa 1890

each tall slender square-sectioned form with flaring rim, engraved, cut and polished with a griffin and insects within matt circles, above narrow panels of oak-leaves and acorns, thistles issuing from the base, set  on a square mount with a hoof, acorns and oak-leaves at each corner

For a single vase of close inspiration, similar to an example exhibited at the Paris Exposition Universelle, 1878, see that sold in our Olympia rooms, 6th July 2005, lot 197.

For further examples of Japanese-influenced intaglio-engraved or 'rock-crystal style' glass made for the Exposition, see D.Sautot, Baccarat. Une manufacture Française, pp.64-67. An intaglio and gilt vase of the same form, dated 1887, bearing identical mounts, is illustrated by J.-L..Curtis, Baccarat, p.252, fig.