Assouline Boules D’Escalier: The Flavia & Frank Abubakir Collection

Boules d’Escalier: The Flávia & Frank Abubakir Collection reveals a fascinating world of craftsmanship hidden in plain sight. Gathering hundreds of staircase finials—known as boules d’escalier—from the remarkable private collection of Flávia and Frank Abubakir, renowned collectors of Boules, this volume celebrates forms often overlooked yet rich in artistry and history. Traditionally installed as the final decorative element when a home was completed, these sculptural glass and crystal spheres served as a symbolic finishing touchto grand interiors. Today, they stand as extraordinary examples of artisanal design from a bygone era.

The book unfolds in a fluid visual journey, grouping the pieces by color, pattern, and the intricate techniques etched into their surfaces. From luminous crystal forms to richly colored glass works; each boule reveals the imagination and craftsmanship of the artisans who created them. Photography by Harald Gottschalk captures the collection in Portugal and Brazil, highlighting both the sculptural beauty of the objects and their unique character.

Interwoven throughout the volume are reflections written by Flávia Abubakir herself, sharing personal insights into how her family began collecting and the passion behind assembling such an extraordinary archive. A rare nineteenth-century catalogue discovered at auction further enriches the narrative, offering a glimpse into the historical world in which these objects were first produced.

Never before photographed in this way, the Abubakir collection transforms a little-known decorative tradition into a celebration of beauty, craftsmanship, and the art of collecting.