19th Century French Opaline Portrait Glass Vase, Young Girl, 16 in, Part I

A breathtaking example of 19th-century French decorative artistry, this tall, elegant opaline glass portrait vase commands attention with its graceful silhouette and exquisitely hand-painted portrait of a young girl. Standing a statuesque 16 inches, the vase's elongated form is perfectly proportioned — a sweeping, gently curved body that rises to a softly flared rim, anchored by a layered pedestal base. Every inch of its shape speaks to the refined sensibility of the French Second Empire period.

The central portrait medallion, framed in delicate fired gold gilt, depicts a young girl of striking innocence — wheat-colored hair softly styled, dressed in a crisp white high-collared blouse beneath a cornflower blue pinafore. The rendering is intimate and luminous, with the creamy opaline glass ground lending a warm, almost candlelit glow to the composition. Gold gilt banding accents both the flared rim and the stepped pedestal base, completing the piece with quiet elegance.

🏛️ Rare Acquisition Opportunity: The Complete Matching Pair

This exceptional vase is Part I of an originally intended pair. Finding a single piece of this scale and quality is a collector's milestone — finding an intact complementary pair is exceedingly rare.

• The Matching Listing: The sister vase (Part II) features a complementary portrait of a young woman in a yellow gown, designed to flank a mantelpiece, sideboard, or display cabinet perfectly.
• Pair Discount: Purchase both pieces together and save 10% — discount is applied automatically at checkout. No code needed.

Technical Specifications & Measurements

• Item Type: Antique Portrait Vase / Cabinet Vase
• Origin: French, 19th Century
• Material: Opaline Glass
• Decoration: 100% Hand-Painted Polychrome Enamels with Fired Gold Gilt Frame, Rim, and Base
• Height: 16 inches (approx. 40.64 cm)
• Rim Diameter: 4 inches (approx. 10.16 cm)
• Base Diameter: 5 inches (approx. 12.70 cm)
• Weight: 3 lbs (approx. 1.36 kg)
• Signatures/Marks: Marked "42" on the bottom

Condition Report

• Overall Condition: Excellent antique condition with no chips, cracks, hairlines, or structural repairs.
• Paint Surface: Enamels remain vibrant with minimal surface wear consistent with age.
• Gilding: Minor, age-appropriate thinning to the gold gilt consistent with gentle handling over time.