Pink gorge de pigeon Médicis opaline vases

Rare pair of pink opal crystal vases. This shade called hydrangea or pigeon's throat was obtained by the addition of gold salts to the crystal. The glassmaker produced the precipitate by dissolving gold and tin. The excess of tin which associates with the pink really gives the pink color of the dying hotensia. These vases feature a superb, well-supported color with subtle color variations from foot to neck. They rest on a pedestal set with gilded bronze and chiseled with a decoration of water leaves. They measure 20 cm and 14 cm in diameter at the neck. They are heavy, very dense, with a beautiful transparency. French work around 1810