What a great bottle or jar! The pate de verre glass is polychrome with lots of green striations, gentle purples and russets. The bottle is mounted with sterling silver Art Nouveau decoration. The base is encircled with swans, standing and drinking water from a stylized pond or lake. The securely hinged lid has a dragonfly motif on top, and a woman's head with floral embellishments on the front cover. The rim of the base is bordered with a floral foliate motif. The rim decoration and inside of the lid is gilt. At one time it appears the entire cover was gold plated. Much of that gilding has been lost; but not all. So there is a dreamy golden glow suffusing the dragonflies and the floral bedecked woman. The loss actually enhances the beauty of this particular piece!
Condition is very good indeed. Other than the loss to the gilt, the piece is nearly perfect. Both base and cover are marked with the French export silver guarantee, the Head of Mercury, 2nd titre for 800/1000 parts silver. Each also bear a maker's mark which is partially rubbed and hence indecipherable. A beautiful and highly unusual piece!

Antique Silver
Antique Sterling Silver