Antique Louis XV Style Silver Jardiniere and Surtout by Doutre Roussel

An Impressive Antique French Silver Jardinière with Claude Doutre Roussel with its 3 pieces Silvered Bronze Plateau.

The Oval Jardinière is decorated in the louis XV Style or Rocaille style, it shows foliage scrolls, and acanthus leaves on each side of a medallion, and it rests on 4 scrolled and and pierced feet.
The Jardinière has a silvered brass interior which comes out to better clean the piece.
The Surtout consists of 3 pieces that are either usable together or can also be separated with only the center piece used. Each piece is lined with a mirror and backed in oak wood. The Surtout shows the same scrolled feet as the Jardinière with a simple lined side.

The Jardinière measurements are as follows: Height 5 1/2 inches – length 17 5/8 inches- width 11 3/8 inches – Silver Weight 4.15 Pounds / Gross weight 9.14 pounds
The Surtout measures are: Height 2 1/2 – Length 62 1/2 inches – Width: 22 inches

It is at the time of the Sun King, Louis XV, as described in the famous work the ‘Mercury’, that is defined the term ‘Surtout’ on the occasion of the reception given by duke of Orleans for the English ambassador in his residence of Saint-Cloud.
The ‘Surtout’ is originally a piece of silverware that gathers in the center of the table saltshakers, spice boxes and candleholders.
The reason of its appearance obeys a practical reason: the French service and its abundance of dishes and service.
Among the rotation of dishes, only the spices remain.
From there was born the idea of creating a fixed space that would become a wonderful pretext for the wildest decorative extravagances for the silversmiths of the eighteenth century, such as the one made by Just-Aurèle Meissonnier for the Duke of Kinston in 1735!
Under the First Empire, the pleasure of ‘taste’ is reinforced by the wonder of the eyes and the glitter of the top which is lined with mirror is used to reflect the light of the torches and candelabras.
Object of luxury, it remains the prerogative of goldsmiths. It is therefore logical that Emile Puiforcat, founder of the eponymous company, is part of this tradition.
The silversmith, based on rue Chapon in Paris, revives the great hours of French goldsmithing in a grandiose Louis XVI style. The amateurs of beautiful tables will be able to prepare the most incredible set up!

The Hallmark is Mercury 1-1st title (950/1000) for Export pieces – 1838 -1919– Paris

The Makers Mark is for Claude DOUTRE ROUSSEL and shows a D and R and a double two domino with Paris written underneath.
His mark was registered on April 12th 1895 he had taken over the practice from his father Eugene DOUTRE ROUSSEL.
His workshop was located 118 Rue Vieille du temple, in the Marais part of Paris.

France 19th Century c.Reference number: CC-289