French Silver
French silver is often characterized by high quality and skilled workmanship, both ensured by particularly strict guild rules. The French hallmarking system is complex and dates back to the 13th century, with the appearance of the first “Maisons Communes” marks. In the 17th and 18th century a silversmith had to serve 8-years of apprenticeship and three years as a journeyman before being able to submit a trial work to the guild, hoping to obtain the status of “master”.
19th Century French silver rare hot water urn / samovar, on a square base on cast scroll paw ball feet, profusely chased in relief with flowers, fruit and seashells, twin handles and the finial continue the same theme. The front of the samovar bears the family initials 'AC' and the back the family crest 'FIT VIA VI' - (finds a way),
Hallmarked French silver (950), Paris, year 1819-1938, Marks for Maison Odiot - Charles Nicolas Odiot.
Reference Number: A4199
19th Century French Solid Silver figural ewer, raised on a circular foot applied with cast Mythological figures, the tall baluster body is chased and applied with four allegories of the seasons surrounded by scrolling foliage decoration, the front is applied with a cast Satyr holding a cup, the large handle is applied with scrolling foliage and surmounted by a nude nymph squeezing grapes in the jug.
The base is Hallmarked French silver (Minerva's head, 950), Paris, year 1870-80, Maker's mark for Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot.
Reference Number: A3522
19th Century French silver figural ewer & basin, raised on a circular foot applied with cast handle modelled as a partially nude female figure, the tall baluster body is intricately hand engraved on matted ground with scroll work and leafy foliage, the center bears a lager vacant cartouche. Hallmarked French export silver, Maker's mark for Ferry.
Reference Number: A4188
Another element guaranteeing the high standard of French silver is the quality of the metal in itself. The required French silver standard had to be above 958 parts out of 1000. For comparison, in most European countries is generally 800/1000, while in Britain is usually 925/1000 (excluding the Queen Anne period, when the higher Britannia 958 standard was in use). A large quantity of French silver was lost as a consequence of 17th century edicts (demanding to melt silver to pay the state’s debts) and the French Revolution (1789), but in any case silverware made in France between the 17th and the 19th century is arguably the most influential in terms of quality and design.
With the Edict of Nantes of 1685 a huge number of Huguenots fled France fearing persecution, and among them skilled silversmiths took their talent to other countries. The most obvious example is Paul de Lamerie, destined to become the most influential silversmith operating in Britain.
20th Century pair of French seven-light candelabra, cast in the Louis XVI style, shaped-scircular reeded bases with acanthus leaves, baluster stem embellished with applied buds, the leaf-embellished branches, complete of all drip-pans, sconces and removable nozzles, the tall central urn embellished with cast drape, fitted with the original flame-shaped snuffer.
Hallmarked French silver (Minerva's head, 950), Paris, year 1890-1900, Maker's mark for A. AUCOC.
Andre' Aucoc was one of the most celebrated Parisian goldsmiths and jewellers of the 19th century, along with Odiot, Christofle and few others. The firm was founded in the 1830's and its works were shown at French national exhibitions in 1827, 1839 and 1844. Aucoc was also present at the Great World Exhibition in London in 1851, where they won a Prize Medal. Andre' succeeded to his father in 1887, and died in Paris in 1911. This exceptionally fine and heavy candelabra are a fine example of the importance and relevance of the firm in the late 19th century.
Reference Number: A3584
20th Century French Silver figural statue, beautifully modelled depicting a Bacchanalia scene of young Bacchus the god of wine, carrying a ewer of wine and being marry with goats. The goat being a representation of Pan the ancient Greek god of nature and music. The sculptural composition is very finelly modelled and stands on an ebony base. Hallmarked French silver, Maker Tetard Freres.
Reference Number: A4268
In the 18th century the French custom of placing food in platters at the centre of the table, known as “service à la française”, encouraged the development of the tureen, which became the most popular feature of the table throughout Europe, often accompanied by large sets of dishes and sculptural candelabra. As a result French styles of this period became iconic: Rococo, Neoclassical and Empire styles widespread in all Europe. The Rococo style is distinguished by organic forms, often embossed and applied in high-relief with swirling foliage and flowers.
The Neoclassical and Empire styles are more austere, inspired by Greek and Roman elements such as swags, rosettes, palmettes and acanthus leaves.
19th Century French silver presentation cup / goblet, it rests on a cast shaped-square base applied with finely crafted models of cherubs, each an allegory of Arts, respectively: "Poesie", "Gesang", "Composition" and "Harmonie". The tapering body is applied with a magnificent cast decoration depicting a frieze of dancing cherubs surrounded by scrolling foliage, all emerging from a tooled ground.
Hallmarked French silver (950), Paris, year before 1868, Maker's mark "AG", possibly Simon André Gerard.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A3328
20th Century French six piece tea and coffee service, in the Louis XVI-style, composing of a huge kettle on stand with burner, coffee pot, teapot, covered sugar bowl, hot water jug and cream jug, each piece with swirl-fluted upper bodies, the lower bodies chased and embossed with armorials and allegories and ribbon-topped cartouches engraved with a family crest, cast handles terminating with ram's head junctions, the massive tea kettle chased with large panels depicting allegories of the four seasons, supported by a stand resting on hoof feet and embellished by large cast ram's heads.
Hallmarked French silver (950), Paris, year 1900's, Maker's mark for D. THOREL.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A3687
19th Century French Empire style silver gilt mounted green marble desk set, comprising an inkstand, a blotter, a paperclip and a letter box. The large and magnificent hexagonal inkstand rests on four paw feet and is set with two baluster-form covered ink pots, the central plinth applied with a swags and ram's heads and surmounted by a cast silver eagle, the blotter with swan and husk mounts, lyre-form paper clip decorated with swans and ram's heads, large rectangular letter box mounted with silver armorials and garlands centering a swan.
Hallmarked French silver (950), Paris, year 1880-90, Maker's mark for A. Risler & Carre'.
REFERENCE NUMBER: A2689
In the 19th and 20th century French silver became dominated by eclecticism and virtuosity, also due to technological progress. Inventive and skilled silversmiths, such as Odiot, Christofle, Cardeilhac, Tetard Freres, Risler et Carré and others created exceptional pieces, often working with famous artists and designers of the time and re-elaborating and mixing elements from popular styles of the past. A perfect example is the exceptional pair of candelabra by A. Aucoc, a late 19th century revival of the Louis XVI style. The most iconic and renowned French silver manufacturer is undoubtedly Maison Odiot, founded by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot (Napoleon’s silversmith). During the 19th century, under the guide of his grandson Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot, the firm supplied silverware to the principal European Royal Families and won prizes for exceptional presentation pieces presented to International Exhibitions.
