PAIR OF MARTIN-GUILLAUME BIENNAIS SALIERES - Lot 159

Lot n° 159
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Estimation :
12000 - 15000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 16 260EUR
PAIR OF MARTIN-GUILLAUME BIENNAIS SALIERES - Lot 159
PAIR OF MARTIN-GUILLAUME BIENNAIS SALIERES PARIS 1809-1819. An important pair of double silver salt cellars, standing on an oval-shaped tray with six lion-leg feet, the rim decorated with a frieze of alternating quartefoils on an amati background, the whole topped by a second frieze of palmettes. Removable dishes with vermeil interior, each supported by three winged lions, the borders highlighted by a frieze of interlacing and water leaves. The whole is joined by an openwork palmette between two scrolls. The grip is formed by a lover holding his bow in his hands and a quiver on his back. It stands on a pedestal decorated with a butterfly appliqué. First-title hallmark in silver, 950 thousandths for Paris 1809-1819, guarantee hallmark. Manufacturer-Smith: Martin-Guillaume BIENNAIS (1764-1843) his diamond hallmark (hallmarked several times on each salt cellar). Height 19.5cm, Width 19.5cm Weight : 1 627 g. Notes : Martin Guillaume BIENNAIS (1764-1843) is the silversmith inextricably linked with the Empire. His path crossed that of Napoleon when the latter was still Bonaparte. As emperor, Napoleon made Biennais the official goldsmith of the court, creating numerous pieces for his military campaigns and palaces. Thanks to the impetus of imperial orders, Biennais enjoyed an extensive clientele of marshals, officers and other generals of the Empire. Although the Empire favored his activity, the political upheavals and the advent of the Restoration did not put an end to his work, and he turned to a prestigious foreign clientele. His activities came to an end in 1821. Our pair of large double salt cellars dated 1809-1819, whose stylistic language is characteristic of Biennais' work, can be compared with several plates in the Recueil de dessins d'orfèvrerie du Premier Empire par Biennais, orfèvre de Napoléon Ier et de la Couronne: plates 17, 95 and 96. These show a variant of our model, with an identical cupid grip and the salver supports in the shape of winged lovers. It is also interesting to note that a double salt shaker with an identical butterfly pedestal was presented by the Emperor to Pauline Borghese; this piece is now in the collections of the Chicago Museum. Several other models can also be compared to our pair of salt cellars: - Four salt cellars of a similar model with the same grip and pedestal. Sotheby's sale, Paris, December 15, 2004. - Two similar salt cellars in vermeil, kept at the Florence Museum, known as the Service de France. - A salt cellar with identical handle bearing the arms of Queen Hortense, based on a design by Percier, Osenat sale, Gérard Souham collection, December 7, 2008 - Result €34,000 Literature : Anne Dion-Tenenbaum, Martin Guillaume Biennais : une carrière exceptionnelle, Persée 2005, pp. 47-55.
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