Elegant Pair Of Silver Empire Légumiers By Jacques Grégoire Rousseau

A Beautiful and very Elegant Pair Of Solid Silver Empire Légumiers or Covered Vegetable Dishes by Maître Orfèvre Jacques Grégoire Rousseau.

The Pair stands on matching presentation plates lined with spokes of heart, which are a perfect match to the décor found on the edge of the beautiful lid.
The said lid is topped by a gorgeous finial in heavy silver decorated with laurel leaves and a berry interior.
The carving of the finial is absolutely lovely.
The elegant and typically Empire handles are topped by an acanthus leaf rosette, and attach to the body of the Légumiers with a lovely spray of Oak leaves and acorns.

The ensemble is simply beautiful and elegant, typical of the Neoclassical style of the 1st French Empire.
The Pair once belonged to a very preeminent Franco Italian Family residing in Switzerland.

The dimensions given above are for the full Légumier and presentation plates.
The Presentation Plates measure 10 3/4 inches wide
The Serving Dishes are 6 1/2 inches high, 3 inches deep, 10 1/4 inches long.

The Hallmark is 2ieme Coq or 2nd Rooster for 1st Title Silver (950/1000) for Paris 1809-1819.
But it also shows the 1st Jeanette Mark (photo 7)for the Association of the Goldsmiths used from 1793 to 1794 before the Marks were allowed once again after the end of the French Revolution.
It shows the head of a woman with a P on her left-hand side.
This piece was hence started between 1793 and 1797 and was finished by 1810.

The Makers Mark is for Maître Orfèvre Jacques Grégoire Rousseau.
Hi Mark shows his initials surrounding a greyhound head with a bird above and below.
His Mark was registered in 1803.
His workshop was located Passage de la Madeleine in Paris.

France 19th Century c.H: 6 3/4"W: 10 3/4"D: 3"Reference number: SH-303