Estimate

1.200 - 1.300

Session 1

22 November 2022

Hammer Price

Description

French silver and crystal, PARIS 1809-1819

Chiselled decoration and faceted crystal of decoration allusive to Faithful Love
Pierced mount through which is visible the faceted Creusot crystal liner.
On the body Eros carrying arrows in quiver over the shoulder while holding a hunting dog on a leash, the other hand holding flaming torch, and surmounted by pierced frieze under chiselled foliage band. The domed cover of ribbon and beading frieze decoration with pine cone pommel.
Scroll handles of Classical lion head finials and interlaced laurel branches elements
Resting on circular foot of foliage frieze on a square stand of pierced column with palms and ball feet
Hallmarks: 2nd cockerel 1st grade (silver 925/1000 for 1809-1819), Average Paris warrantee, Greyhound Head, Silversmiths Association with letter P to left, Elder 1st grade; Paris Warrantee. Master silversmith Dominique GARREAU
(minor faults and some old restoration to feet and to pierced frieze)

21,6x15,5x9,8 cm
518 g (total)

Category

Silver

Additional Information

Dominique GARREAU, goldsmith in Paris, based at 62 rue du Temple, registered 1817.

Ornamental symbolism:
The close proximity between dogs and humans, turned this animal into a traditional symbol of fidelity and surveillance. As such, dogs are frequently featured in paintings of marriages or in portraits, as allusions to marital fidelity, such as in the well-known portrait of the ARNOLFINI spouses by Jan VAN EYCK [1], the "Portrait de Famille" by Lorenzo LOTTO [2], or in the "L’Heureuse union" by VERONESE [3].

EROS, symbol of love, rides a dog, symbol of fidelity, held by its leash, symbol of compromise, while dreaming about the symbolism of love guided by the compromise of fidelity.
In the "Wedding at Cana" by VÉRONÈSE, the two dogs, depicted by Christ's table and joined to it, are, as such, interpreted as an allegory to marriage and fidelity.


[1] 1434, London, National Gallery.
[2] 1523-1524, Saint Petersburg, Hermitage Museum
[3] 1575, London, National Gallery