Important Silversmiths – Maison Odiot
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
La Maison Odiot, or House of Odiot was founded in 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Odiot, fine silversmith during the reign of Louis XV.
However it was with his grandson, Jean Baptiste Claude Odiot (born in 1763) that the firm reached its peak of notoriety, receiving exceptional commissions from Napoleon’s court and the most important Royal families of the world.
In 1802 the firm participated at the International Exposition de l’Industrie in Paris winning the gold medal. Soon after, Odiot succeeded Henry Auguste as Napoleon’s official silversmith and was commissioned both the sceptre and the sword for his coronation in 1804, two massive dinner services for Napoleon’s mother and sister and one for the Emperor’s campaigns.
Jean Baptiste Claude is certainly the most iconic silversmith of the Empire style, influenced by the return of the classical Greek and Egyptian patterns: his pieces, often silver-gilt, are characterised by neoclassical forms and figural elements, often fixed with rivets and bolts, and not by the classic soldering method.
20th Century French silver-gilt exceptional claret jug, of tapering from with hob-nail cut-glass body, the upper and lower mounts embossed with entwined fruiting vines, similarly cast handles, hinged cover with a stylised coiled vine branch finial, engraved initials to the lid.
Hallmarked French silver (950), Paris, Marks for Odiot, Boulenger & Cie, each base stamped "ODIOT PARIS", 3131.
Reference Number: A5483
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
Jean Baptiste Claude retired in 1823, and his son Charles Nicholas took over the business. By 1825 he was already purveyor of silverware by appointment to His Majesty the King Louis-Philippe and to the Royal Family of Orleans and he started experimenting with electroplating, a technique he imported from England. Charles Nicolas excelled in the Rococo style, featuring shells and scroll motifs, flowers and richly ornate elements.
Charles Nicholas was succeeded by his son Gustave who worked for the firm from 1856 through 1906. He accepted the most majestic commission ever received by the company: 3000 pieces of solid gold flatware for the Viceroy of Egypt, Said Pacha.
The House of Odiot is still active nowadays, counting on an extraordinary long story and heritage and its pieces are displayed in the most important museums of the world such as the Musée du Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum in New York.