Antique ostrich egg transformed into a bottle, silver-plated with openwork decoration

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Ancient ostrich egg transformed into a decorative bottle, mounted with a silver-plated metal fitting featuring openwork foliage, volutes, and cabochons. A curiosity piece with a strong character.

Description

The ovoid body of the ostrich egg displays its natural cream hue, punctuated by the shell's characteristic grain. It is encased in a silver-plated mounting composed of a neck with a screw cap, a wide upper ring, ornamented vertical appliques, and a dark circular base forming a pedestal.

The metallic decoration combines foliage motifs, openwork scrolls, raised pellets, beaded cabochons, and hanging elements. The side handles feature a decorative chain with oval links, contributing to its appearance as a cabinet and curiosity object.

The mounting showcases beautiful relief work, with an alternation of smooth, openwork, and repoussé sections. The ensemble retains a strong decorative presence, between a naturalia object and a table or display cabinet ornament.

Context

Mounted ostrich eggs, transformed into cups, goblets, flasks, or decorative objects, are part of an ancient tradition of curiosity items, often associated with collectors' cabinets. The ornamental vocabulary of this piece, with its cut-out foliage, volutes, and silver-plated metal, reflects a historicizing and decorative taste appreciated in bourgeois interiors and collections of unique objects.

Condition

Used antique object, sold as is. Patina of use on the silver-plated metal, with surface wear, oxidation, and darker shades in the recesses of the decoration. The shell shows signs of time, small marks, natural stains, and visible cracks, consistent with the fragility of the material and the age of the object. Chain oxidized in places.

AFW

AFW takes particular care in preparing antique and collectible objects. Reinforced packaging and professional shipping, adapted to the fragility of the shell and its mounting.

Keywords: [Ancient ostrich egg transformed into a bottle with silver-plated metal ornaments]