A Baccarat gilded glass vase with bronze elephant support, circa 1880

decorated in the Japanese-style, the crystal glass vase of flaring square section, the body decorated in raised gold with delicate flowering branches, supported upon a bronze model of an elephant draped with tassels, on an oriental base, embossed manufacturing mark to underside of elephant,

In overall good appearance. There is some scattered wear to the gilded pattern on the glass, mostly in an area of the front reserve which is visible in the catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

During the 1870s and 1880s the elephant received a high level of adoration from the  luxury retailers of Europe. Baccarat used the elephant in several designs, most notably the Elephant 'Cave à Liqueur' made for or just after the 1878 L'Exposition Universelle. An ambitious and imposing model of frosted crystal and gilt-bronze, it was based on the architectural project of Jean-Antoine Alavoine where a monumental Elephant was planned to be erected in Place de la Bastille, Paris. An example was sold in these rooms, Treasures, 8th July 2015, lot 46; see the catalogue which illustrates a Vase 'éléphant', featuring a similar gilded and enamelled vase that was included in the exhibition 'Baccarat, The Legend of Crystal' at the Petit Palais in 2015. In the 1878 exhibition the Christofle Company presented a Vase 'éléphant' designed by Émile Reiber (1826-1893), and again in 1889, an example of which is now in the collection of Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris, Inv. 28125.