A large and rare French enamelled 'Persian-style' glass bowl and ormolu stand Philippe-Joseph Brocard, Paris, circa 1878

signed, the deep rounded form of light bluish tint, with tapering sides and folded rim, painted and gilt with a broad band of geometric scroll, the contemporary circular stand with four pierced scroll feet and pierced panels to match the pattern on the bowl

Ormolu mounts on Brocard's enamelled glass are very rare. The stand for the present lot matches the enamel decoration. It is possible that the ensemble was made for the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1878. Several bowls of this size are recorded but this is the first to be found with such an elaborate stand.

Philppe-Joseph Brocard (1831-1896) contributed greatly to the evolution of glass enamelling in the second half of the 19th century. His technique was not drawn from the tradition of enamelling on porcelain or metal but renewed a specialist glass technique derived from Islamic glass of the 13th and 14th centuries. His products are sometimes simple copies of historical models, such as mosque lamps, but on other occasions are inspirational interpretations of the Islamic style.

Brocard's enamelling skills were first displayed at the Paris Exposition of 1867. From that time forward he was considered an innovator. His talent was acknowledged with a Gold Medal at the 1873 Universal Exhibition in Vienna. Public recognition came again at the 1874 Paris Exposition. In the following Paris show of 1878 Brocard ranked next to Émile Gallé, whom he inspired, and his work was highly acclaimed.

For another large bowl of Islamic inspiration, dated 1871 and shown at the London International Exhibition, see that sold in these Rooms, 2nd June 2005, lot 119 (£36,000).