Heroic Design for a Bohemian Glass

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Alexander the Great was the most celebrated ancient hero in the nineteenth century. We were just discussing him on a drawing by David, and here he is again on a glass of Bohemia.

It is a great goblet with cover, for a total height of 57 cm. It is signed by August Böhm, and dated 1845. A similar piece dated 1840 was used to cast plaster to encourage imitation by other glassmakers.

Its decoration shows a tangle of horses and warriors. Based on a work by Charles Le Brun, it is the victory of Alexander against the Persians in Granicus.

This masterpiece of Bohemia, a country rightly renowned for its beautiful glass, is estimated £ 250 K, at Sotheby's in London on July 7.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

I had not yet a reference of price for a piece of this quality. Here is one: it is not worth £ 250 K. Unsold.