Baccarat Opaline Glass Vases

Cartouche Windows with Decorative Enameled Flowers

The beauty of Baccarat takes so many forms. From dazzling crystal chandeliers to ornate ormolu and crystal centerpieces, the elegance of Baccarat design is recognized by museums, collectors, and royalty worldwide as some of the most desirable pieces of decorative art.

Although some historians have argued that he was not a particularly effective king, Louis XV did bring France to a cultural high point during his reign.  Thanks in part to his famed mistress, Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV patronized painters, cabinetmakers and sculptors, the ornate style of which now carries his namesake.

During Louis XV’s reign, the Baccarat glassworks company was founded in the town of Baccarat in the Lorraine region in eastern France. The year was 1734, and the company began producing stemware and mirrors for the wealthy European elite and royalty. After receiving its first royal commission in 1823, Baccarat was launched into worldwide demand, with designs that were beautifully ornate and uniquely French.  Under the reign of Napoleon III, the use of opaline glass – an opaque and colorful decorative glass often accented with gilding – was introduced and became very popular. With a high lead content and jewel-like tones, the decorative pieces were meant to mimic Venetian glass, produced in Italy in the 16th century.

We are fortunate to have a pair of opaline glass vases from the Baccarat factory here at M.S. Rau. Possessing all the desired qualities of the very best opaline pieces – vibrant hues, lux gilding and ornate design – these vases are all the more exceptional because they are a complete pair. Cartouche “windows” are expertly hand-painted to house bouquets of delicate flowers. They are eye-catching, even in a gallery full of remarkable items like we have here.

The peak of Baccarat’s opaline glass production was from 1850 – 1860, and these vases are dated to 1850. They are true masterworks of the Baccarat house and are vibrant pieces to behold. To learn more about these vases or M.S. Rau’s collection of Baccarat pieces, click here.

Rare Georgian kindjal dagger. Item 29-8562

Weapons are some of the most intriguing antique pieces, possessing both a tangible strength of material and a symbolic strength of a nation or people.  A few of my historical favorites that we have in the gallery right now are these three elegant examples. With intricate designs and workmanship, and the unyielding form of a serious weapon, these pieces wonderfully embody daggers as both a status symbol and a means of defense.

Known for their impeccable military skills, the Eastern Slavic Cossack people crafted equally impressive weapons. The Cossacks migrated from areas of Georgia and southern Russia to escape endemic regional political persecution by banding together in small settlements for protection. Under the Tsars, the Cossacks were allowed great autonomy in exchange for military service and protection of the Russian frontier regions. Many of their customs of dress and weaponry, including the kindjal, were accepted and adapted by mainstream culture. Even the Tsars were known to wear the traditional long black robe with the kindjal worn on the side, an ensemble which is still worn by Cossacks today.

Gold gilt kindjal dagger. Item 29-8560

The kindjal – a dagger-like weapon– was designed for close hand to hand combat with its double-edged, broad blade. The hilt, grip and scabbard mounts of this Georgian example are decorated in fine niello inlay and gold gilt. Intended to be both a fashion accessory and an essential side arm, this particular kindjal dates to the early 20th century, a very turbulent time in Imperial Russia. The piece bears Georgian makers marks, making it a fine example of a collectable kindjal.

Persian dagger and scabbard. Item 29-5183

Another Russian Cossack example we have is equally beautiful, and one assumes, brutally efficient.  This kindjal boasts fine granulated gold and silver nielo inlay on the hilt and a well forged blade with deep offset fullers. A gold makers mark signed to owner on reverse dates the piece circa 1900.

The incredible beauty of this Persian dagger belies its dangerous capabilities. This stunning weapon features a hilt and scabbard of bronze inlaid with a silver vine motif. Crafted in the jambiya style, this knife has a double-edged, curved blade and is meant to be worn on a belt, with a metal loop integrated into the design of the scabbard. Found in many countries influenced by Arabian culture, the jambiya is a prized possession, worn by men as both a status symbol and as a means of defense. To find one of such elegance and fine workmanship in the West is extremely rare.

Swords, daggers, kindjals and the myriad other forms of side arms are extremely collectible pieces. They excite the eyes as much as the imagination. Click here to learn more about M.S. Rau’s collection of weapons and to explore these powerful pieces of history.

This early model features stand-alone instruments, including drums, an organ, a triangle and a piano accordion

The Arburo Orchestrion Organ creates incredible music previously accomplished by a full orchestra.

You enter a room filled with spirited music; the rhythm grabbing you immediately as it travels through the air. Drums keep time to a bright organ and accordion melody peppered with the crisp ring of a triangle. Certainly such a lively and delightful sound would be the collaborative effort of several talented musicians…right? 

A complete musical band set within a sleek Art Deco cabinet, this remarkable Orchestrion Organ by the Belgian firm of Arburo has the ability to create an incredible level of sound. High air pressure is used to control the workings within via a large bellows. The mechanism utilizes actual, stand-alone instruments, including base and snare drums, an organ, a triangle and a piano accordion to create truly magnificent music. With the press of a button, the Orchestrion comes to life, including the visible piano accordion, which appears to press its keys and open its bellows by itself!

Each Orchestrion was made to order, by hand. No two Arburos were ever made alike.

Each of Arburo’s Orchestrions were made-to-order, one at a time, and was crafted entirely by hand, even down to the paper music rolls. Very few examples of these stunning antiques exist today, especially early models in the exceptional working condition of this amazing machine. Considering too, that no two Orchestrions were ever made alike, this incredible organ is truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Founded by Arthur Bursens and Gusatv Roels in 1928, Arburo was known for its tremendously high quality pieces, and insisted upon creating each piece by hand in their Hoboken workshop. The Orchestrion became the firm’s most famed creation, and this particular example dates to the early days of Arburo, sometime between 1928 and 1929, making it perhaps one of the first Orchestrions ever made.

To learn more and view a video of this amazing Orchestrion in action, click here.

Salammbo Art Nouveau Sculpture by Breton

As one of the more recognizable movements in art and design, Art Nouveau is pervasive in visual culture even today. The sinewy line of flora, the interpretation of the exotic and the flourish of a bold typeface all typify this imaginative style of art, architecture and decorative arts. From the most famous examples – Hector Guimand’s Paris Mètro station entrances and Antonin Gaudì’s La Sagrada FamiliaI – to the widely-produced posters and advertisements, Art Nouveau can be appreciated in many forms.

Art Nouveau Bed

M.S. Rau is fortunate to have in its collection a few outstanding pieces of Art Nouveau that beautifully exemplify the captivating range of objects that possess this style. The silvered bronze sculpture by French artist Paul Eugene Breton brings to life the powerful figure of Salammbô, the eponymous character in the 1862 historic novel by Gustave Flaubert. This stunning sculpture captures the Carthaginian priestess, clad in nothing but her jeweled ornaments and shackles, as she performs a sacred ritual. This figure flawlessly echoes the novel’s pre-occupation with Oriental exoticism, which was a popular artistic movement at the time of the novel’s publication. The circular base on which she stands is covered with the coat of a lion, which adds to this work’s decadent impression.

This enchanting bed is a rare example of furniture which celebrates Art Nouveau’s imaginative use of material. Crafted of wrought iron with decorative iron and wood panels, this ornate bed is composed of a headboard, footboard and sides, with flowing lines artfully arranged in a naturalistic fan motif. The wooden panels, adorned with fantastical creatures and mother-of-pearl accents, add to the bed’s natural allure. Sleep could never be as opulent as it is in this outstanding bed.

Baccarat Crystal Nautical Inkwell

All the drama and glamour one expects from Art Nouveau can be found in this Baccarat crystal nautical inkwell. Gleaming with beautiful doré bronze and elegant crystal, this enchanting objet d’art is a triumphant nautical piece. Both beautiful and functional, the inkwells take the form of a conch shell and a nautical instrument which match the swooning siren centered in the crystal wave. Subtly erotic and overtly captivating, this piece is a masterwork of both the maker and the style.

Glamorous, just because. Exotic, simply to evoke fantasy. Art Nouveau’s hybrid style is as pertinent now as it was when it emerged as an avant-garde movement in the 1880’s. Owning a piece of Art Nouveau means possessing timeless elegance. Look at our website here for more examples and consider starting or adding to your collection today!

American Flag Cane

Even though America is a relatively young country, M.S. Rau Antiques is celebrating its centennial as one of the country’s oldest and largest, family-owned antique dealers. Third generation owner Bill Rau is at the helm of this renowned gallery which occupies three floors covering 35,000 sq.ft. and is organized according to categories such as sterling silver, music boxes, furniture, globes, estate jewelry and stained glass, with more than one, museum-quality item in each category. Collectors, curators and curious tourists are drawn to its sprawling galleries located in the historic French Quarter.  American history experts and memorabilia collectors who stroll through the galleries will be delighted to discover a unique selection of significant historical items that fit in with the Fourth of July.

            Much smaller than the original flag made by Betsy Ross, which hangs in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., collectors and flag wavers alike will appreciate this truly unique example of an American flag which is cleverly camouflaged inside a cane.  This patriotic collectible holds a 48-star American flag within its ebonized shaft. This lovely antique cane is topped by a silver knob handle, and terminates in a removable brass ferrule from which the Stars and Stripes is unfurled (circa 1915; $1,885)

Moore Talking Scale

 The precursor to the modern, high tech digital scale was undoubtedly this life size Talking Scale designed by Moore Talking Scale Company in Boston in 1902.  When you consider that diet food and fitness clubs really didn’t exist back then, you have to give this “talking” scale some serious consideration.  Who knew stepping on a scale could be this much fun, or this upsetting?  In order to get weighed, a brave person would insert a nickel, step on the scale, pull the lever and actually hear their weight spoken out loud via a phonograph mechanism inside the scale that would rotate the record to the track corresponding to the user’s weight and play it. The mechanism, known as an “annunciator,” was invented by George Albert Moore and patented in the United States in 1902. Due to the conspicuous nature in which this scale indicated the user’s weight, few were ever made, making this particular example an exceptional rarity. This nostalgic machine is crafted of cast iron with enameling on the directions and sound vents and top sign ($34,500).

Herbert Hoover Lawn Bowling Set

For fans of summertime leisure games played in the backyard, this set of lawn balls is in perfect condition and was a gift to Herbert Hoover  by the American Lawn Bowling Association in 1931.  As President of the United States from 1929 to 1933, Hoover was more widely known as a mining engineer an effective administrator, but one of his favorite leisurely activities was lawn bowling, a pastime which he enjoyed several times a week. This historic, one-of-a-kind boxed set of lawn bowls was crafted by J. Jaques & Sons of London. Plaques on the bottom of each ball display the initials “H.H.” and the numerals “1, 2, 3 and 4,” respectively. Each ball also features the Jaques stamp etched on the bottom and “Herbert Hoover” is embossed on the cover of the leather box ($32,850). 

These are only a few of the exceptional and unique antiques and collectibles that are available at M.S. Rau Antiques.  For a closer look at the entire inventory, visit www.rauantiques.com.