Sulfides & Cameos, French Paperweights
_Sulphides, as the French term them, constitute a class by themselves. Major Enperauger, in a pamphlet published in 1909, describes them as encrusted cameos and crystal medallions. They have a rich history.
The art of encrusted glass came from Bohemia in the 13th Century. It was completely lost for a time, but was revived in France and England at the end of the 18th Century in the form of cameo under glass. In the early days of the art, the Bohemians had used small figures of grayish clay in their encrustations, but the result was not successful for the reason that the glass and clay did not adhere to each other equally. The process was next taken up and improved greatly by the French, who sold their product at an extremely high price. The vogue of the sulphides continued in France until the reign of Napoleon III.
The art of encrusted glass came from Bohemia in the 13th Century. It was completely lost for a time, but was revived in France and England at the end of the 18th Century in the form of cameo under glass. In the early days of the art, the Bohemians had used small figures of grayish clay in their encrustations, but the result was not successful for the reason that the glass and clay did not adhere to each other equally. The process was next taken up and improved greatly by the French, who sold their product at an extremely high price. The vogue of the sulphides continued in France until the reign of Napoleon III.
The five most expensive sulfides for sale now
Listed below are the five most expensive sulfide paperweights currently for sale on Ebay. Note, they are not all French!. French Sulfides are so rare there is not always one for sale. If you click one of the links the actual Ebay auction will open in a new window.
The text about French Sulfides continues after the auction listings.
The text about French Sulfides continues after the auction listings.
_It has been said that the original idea for the sulphides resulted from the silvery appearance of drops of dew on flowers. Experimenters found this beautiful silvery effect could be secured through combining fine white china clay with crystal. The clay had an unpolished body and could be made to withstand a higher temperature than the crystal. The silvery effect which resulted from this combination led to the name "sulphides" (of silver) or "nitrates" (of silver).
Sulphides were immensely popular in their day. They were used on many articles made of glass, such as goblets, flasks, vases,and boxes. They were encased in flat surfaces of cut crystal, as well as in the oval forms found in paperweights. Important pieces were inscribed with the names or initials of the sculptors.
Sulphides were immensely popular in their day. They were used on many articles made of glass, such as goblets, flasks, vases,and boxes. They were encased in flat surfaces of cut crystal, as well as in the oval forms found in paperweights. Important pieces were inscribed with the names or initials of the sculptors.
