Stunning Antique French Silver Confiturier By Soccard~Sold~

A Stunning and Rare Antique French Silver ‘Confiturier’ by ‘Maitre Orfèvre’ François Cécil SOCCARD.

In France we call them ‘Drageoir’ or ‘Confiturier’, but the only official name is a ‘Confiturier’ (Hence a Jam container), and we can add that, originally, they were only thought of, and used, as Ceremonial Sugar Bowls.

The theme of this Confiturier is based on Marital Faith and Love.
The body is Baluster shaped (or Medicis Vase Shaped) with large Palm fronds decorating it on two sides, while the two main Figural ‘Tableaux’ represent a Couple draped in Antique clothing kneeling on each side of an altar.
Their right hands are joined while the left hand (the hand of the heart) of the young man is raised above the flame topping the Altar as if taking it as testimony of his eternal love as his promised wife holds hers over her heart.

The Sides are decorated a Lyra design, while the handles base is shaped as a women’s head.

The detail on both registers is amazing! Delicate, precise, just amazing! The handles are upper part is decorated by acanthus leaves and rosettes.
The lower part of the body is engraved with flowers and palm fronds while the pedestal, which rests on 4 gold coated silver pearls, is lined with the same acanthus leaf garland that graces the upper part of the ‘Confiturier’.

The ‘Frétel’ (or finial) which is rather small shows another Swan stretching its wings.

The bowl’s insert is in heavy Cobalt Crystal and original to the piece.

An absolutely gorgeous piece!

The Hallmark is ‘Head of an Old Woman’ (Poinçon à la Tête de Vieille Femme) used in the Provinces between the years 1819 and 1838-1st title (950/1000) Lyon.

The Makers Mark is that of François Cécil SOCCARD.
His mark shows his three initials with a flag flying above and two dots.
His mark was registered in 1813 and re-registered in 1816, His mark was canceled in 1838.
He held shop at 7 Place de L’Herberie in Lyon then at 2 Quai Villeroy.
He specialized in larger decorative pieces.

H: 11.53"W: 6.49 / L9.44"D: 6.1"Reference number: D-153