Stunning antique French Eugene Rousseau (1827-1890) for Baccarat enameled glass 8pc serving set for fruit, dessert or punch. In the pattern Clair de Lune , presenting a Japonisme decoration depicting a gilded moon reflecting a cherry blossom tree with birds in flight, embellished with stylized flowers on gilded branches. The glass features a lovely yellow and purple two tone finish. Includes a lidded serving bowl on raised stem together with six matching glasses on circular stems and a circular tray. Unsigned early Baccarat, predating the 1936 acid etched signature. The famed cristallerie used paper labels from 1860 to 1936, which often got lost, worn or washed away. In overall good antique condition, no chips or cracks, there is surface wear to the yellow finish on the tray as well as wear to the purple finish on the bases of the glasses and compote.
The compote stands 8 1/2" tall x 6" diameter opening. Glasses stand 2 5/8" height x 2 1/2" diameter opening. Tray measures 10 3/4" diameter x 1" height.
François-Eugène Rousseau (1827-1890), known as Eugène Rousseau, is a glass maker master who established himself in 1855 as a merchant specialized in porcelain and earthenware at 43, rue Coquillière in Paris. Around 1867, he devotes himself to glass and appealed to the talents of Eugène Michel to engrave a range of glassware. In 1867, while he was interested in Japanese motifs, Eugène Rousseau asks Félix Bracquemond to create a porcelain service which will be exhibited at the World’s Fair in Paris, where for the first time a European artist directly copies a Japanese artist, reproducing animal figures from the Hokusai’s Manga. Following the success of this service, the Japanese aesthetic will influence Rousseau's production. In 1869, two of his painted glasses were purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum. His Japanese glass works produced with the probable help of the brothers Appert in Clichy and the crystal making factory Baccarat, will appear in 1874 in Paris at the Fourth Exhibition of the Central Union of Fine Arts Applied to Industry. Member of the Central Union of Decorative Arts since its creation in 1862, he received the cross of the Legion of Honor. At the end of his career, he partnered with Ernest Leveillé, who was also his student. Leveillé will continue the work of Eugène Rousseau after his death, having bought his workshop rue Coquillière in 1885.