Exquisite Silver Coffee And Tea ‘Egoiste’ Set By Lapar ~Sold~

An exquisite and rare Antique French Silver & Vermeil Coffee and Tea Selfish Set by the wonderful ‘Maitre Orfèvre’ L LAPAR.
The first time we saw this model, only the Selfish Coffee Pot remained and we were totally in love, so imagine when we found the Full set!
It was called a ‘Tête à Tête’ set and was done to serve two guests.

The set is in solid silver and has an 18 carat gold gilding which is in perfect condition.
It is an incredible work of art and shows a refinement few Master Silversmiths managed to attain…
Indeed the eagle head is often used by French Silversmiths, but not in this way.
Here the whole head including the neck and feathers is used to re create the spout in a gorgeous and very detailed way!
The other rare detail is the handle which is entirely carved in Ivory and shaped Empire style.

The set consists of an ‘Egoïste’ (Selfish) Coffee Pot, An ‘Egoïste’ Teapot, an Adorable matching Creamer, and the lovely matching Sugar Casket.
The bodies of the four pieces are decorated with exquisite wreaths of laurel leaves on the upper register and other vertical wreaths of larger laurel leaves on the lower register.
The pedestals are round and decorated with a lighter ‘Raies de Coeur’ or smaller laurel garland.
The coffee and tea pots as well as the creamer, all sport the amazing eagle head spouts, with acanthus leaves imitating their feathers at the connection linking the spouts to the pots!
The handles are linked by beautifully carved Acanthus leaves and a papyrus design.
The Finials, or ‘Frétel’, are in the form of a blueberry, while the edges of the lids reproduce the same laurel garland design as is found on the body of the pots.
The décor is a celebration of the Empire Style.
It is absolutely amazing to find a complete set, hence the rarity of this one!

The measures are as follows:
Coffee Pot: 6.5 inches high – 4.7 inches long- 2.8 inches large
Tea Pot: 6.3 inches high – 7.3 inches long- 3.9 inches large
Creamer: 3 inches high – 3.7 inches long- 2.2 inches large
Sugar Casket: 4.3 inches high – 5.5 inches long- 3.3 inches large

The Hallmark is Minerve 1 -1st title (950/1000)- 1838 to 1919– Paris

The Makers Mark is for Léon LAPAR who registered his mark in 1878.
It shows the name of the Maître Orfèvre.
His mark was cancelled in 1897.
His offices were located at 16 rue de Choiseul

D: field_12"Reference number: SST-139