French Pate-Sur-Pate Jardiniere with Hippogriffs, 1880

• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.
  
  For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.
  
  Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.
• Incised - A record of a name, date or inscription, or a decoration scratched into a surface, usually of a glass or ceramic item with a blunt instrument to make a coarse indentation. Compare with engraving where the surface is cut with a sharp instrument such as a metal needle or rotating tool to achieve a fine indentation.
• Pâte-Sur-Pâte - Pâte-sur-pâte is a decorative technique that is commonly used in ceramics and glassmaking. The term "pâte-sur-pâte" is French and it translates to "paste on paste." This technique involves the application of layers of clay or glass paste to create a three-dimensional design.
  
  In ceramics, the technique involves applying successive layers of a clay slip onto a piece of pottery. Each layer is allowed to dry before the next one is applied. The layers are then carved or incised to create a design in relief. This technique is often used to create delicate and intricate designs, such as figures or floral motifs.
  
  In glassmaking, the technique involves applying layers of molten glass onto a blown glass form. The layers are then carved or etched to create a design in relief. This technique is often used to create intricate designs, such as floral motifs or animals.
  
  Both techniques require a high level of skill and precision, as the layers must be applied and carved with great care to achieve the desired effect. The end result is a beautiful and unique piece of art that showcases the artist's talent and mastery of their craft.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• unmarked French 19th century - ceramics 49