Beautiful French Silver 18th Century Drageoir By NR Masson

A Stunning Antique French Silver Drageoir by Maitre Orfèvre Nicolas Richard MASSON.

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

This Stunning piece is decorated in the Louis XVI Style.
The Drageoir features a vine garland with three heads of Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods in Roman mythology, surrounding the main part of the ‘Drageoir’.
Mercury’s head rest on Caduceus, which are one of the Gods attributes. Apollo gifts him with the Caduceus, a rod surrounded by two snakes reputed to cure snake bites. Mercury is also the God of Commerce (from his name derives the name ‘Merchants’), as well as the protector of Travels and Thieves…
Mercury is known as Hermes in Greek Mythology. He was Jupiter’s son and had two animal symbols, the Ram and the Rooster.
This gorgeous ‘Drageoirs’ feature a tripod shape ending in ram’s hooves and resting on a round pedestal with a lovely cut-out gallery surrounding it.
The lid is just as beautiful! It shows a curved molding and a parakeet sitting on top!
The solid silver liner is removable and gilded.

The piece is just breathtaking!
No loses, no marks, just Gorgeous! An exceptional find, just beautiful!
A collectors piece.

The Hallmark is 1er Coq or 1st Coquerel-1st title (950/1000) – 1798 -1809 – Paris
But it also shows the 1st Jeanette Mark for the Association of the Goldsmiths used from 1794 to 1797 before the Marks were allowed once again after the end of the French Revolution.
It shows the head of a woman with a 1 on her right-hand side.
This piece was hence started between 1794 and 1797.

The Makers Mark is for Nicolas Richard MASSON. It shows his three initials surrounding a trowel.
His Mark was registered in 1798.
His workshop was located 44 quai des Orfevres in Paris.

France 18th Century c.H: 12"W: 8"D: 3 1/2"Reference number: D-193