Pair of Compotiers 1800 - 1850

This pair of compotiers were crafted by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, featuring both glass and gilded bronze. The contrast between the clear, patterned glass and the richly ornamented, gilded bronze creates a striking visual experience. Odiot was renowned for his mastery of metalwork, evident in the compotiers' intricate detailing and the precise casting of the bronze elements. The gilding process itself, involving the application of thin gold leaf, would have been a labor-intensive undertaking. The textured glass would have required skilled glassmakers to make, combining free-blowing with a complex mold. These compotiers speak to the opulence and refinement of their time, made for a consumption-oriented culture of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Understanding the materials, making, and social context allows us to appreciate these objects beyond their functional purpose.