A rock crystal tazza with enamelled gold mounts, probably French, circa 1865. Photo: Sotheby's.

the circular bowl with decorated rim overlapped by two enamelled handles formed as mythical Indonesian horned dragons with prominent breasts, the knopped stem  topped by an enamelled whorl and banded with green-enamelled leaves and black and white cable or fronds; 12.7cm., 5in. high. Estimation 3,000 — 5,000 GBP

This interesting tazza is unfortunately unmarked as are most objects of this type and date. Whereas the magnificent monsters forming the handles have horned dragon heads reminiscent of Javanese nagas, their bodies are indubitably European. The combination of green translucent enamelled leaves and black and white cording and leaf elements in renaissance taste can be found on the mounts of  hardstone objects created in Paris by Jean-Valentin Morel and Charles Duron (see Isabelle Lucas, ‘Jean-Valentin Morel and the revival of the lapidary’s art’, Apollo, January 2005, pp.48-53 and Howard Ricketts, Objects of Vertu, London, 1971, p. 88). These two are perhaps the best-known proponents of the style but a number of others exhibited similar objects, mainly in London in 1862 and at the Paris Exposition universelle in 1867 (see Daniel Alcouffe). Matters are further confused as many of the better-known retailers would use the same enamellers such as Lefournier or the brothers Sollier. It will only be possible to identify the artists responsible for this charming piece if a named engraving or design, so far undiscovered, has survived. 

Sotheby's. Collections. London | 24 sept. 2013 - http://www.sothebys.com