Gorgeous Antique French Silver Confiturier Seduction Themed by Garreau

An absolutely gorgeous Antique French Silver and Crystal ‘Confiturier’ or sugar bowl by Denis Garreau.

In France we call them ‘Drageoir’ or ‘Confiturier’ – But the only official name is a ‘Confiturier’ (Hence a Jam container), which originally, were only thought of and used as ceremonial sugar bowls.

Medici Shaped, this beautiful and large example of sugar bowl, rests on a round base with three silver pearl feet, decorated with papyrus and palmettos.
The main body receives a rich openwork decoration of an antique dressed couple, represented four times, spaced by garlands of vines and grapes.
The couple is represented in the front and center in a seduction position, and on the side registers closely embraced.
The domed lid, underlined by an engraved floral frieze, is also topped by a Peacock.
This is a rare model by Garreau, and it quite beautifully represents the repertory of Seduction with the evolving position of the couple and the wonderful preening peacock topping the piece!

The interior is wheel cut crystal intact and original to the piece.

The Hallmark is 2ieme Coq -1st title – Hence 1809 -1819 – Paris
But the piece also shows The Poinçon Révolutionaire or Poinçon de l’Association des Orfèvres d’Or et d’Argent which was created in 1793,.
It shows the head of a Greek Woman with a P on the left hand side.
In 1794 and until 1797 it was followed by the same Head of a Woman but with a 1 on the right hand side. Both Marks were created by the Master Silversmiths in order to avoid fraud, after the break down of the Old Regime and before the system started again in 1798.
This means this piece was started in 1793.

The Makers Mark for the Confiturier is that of Denis GARREAU.
It shows a D and a G topped by a ‘Navette’ (or boat)
GARREAU was the successor of Ambroise MIGNEROT and specialized in larger decorational pieces (called in French ‘Pièces De Forme’).
His mark was created in 1817.
His workshop was located at 62 Rue du Temple, in what is today the Marais area of Paris.

France 19th Century c.H: 12.59"W: 8.26"D: 4.72"Reference number: D-186