Bottle for smelling salts

Maison Falize

Both the crane motif and the type of enamel technique derive from Japanese applied art. Shortly before the renowned Paris jeweller Falize made this little bottle, Japanese objets d’art were exhibited in Paris for the first time. These items had not been made for export to the West but for the Japanese internal market. The Japanese influence on Falize became evident in his work almost immediately after the exhibition.

c. 1867 - c. 1870

Gold (metal)

6.5 x 4.0 x 1.7 cm

BK-2009-50

Image and text courtesy of Rijksmuseum, 2019