Gorgeous French Silver and Crystal Table Center Piece by Léon Lapar

Gorgeous French Silver and Cobalt Crystal Table Center Piece by Léon Lapar

Called in French a Surtout, this lovely piece consists of a Jardinière and its matching ‘Dormant’ or plateau.
The ‘Jardinière’, or center table if you would rather, was used in a variety of ways in order to embellish the table, by either setting flowers or fruits or other items that could enhance the set up.
I use mine during dinners with Peonies or spray roses or as pictured here with freesia and the effect is lovely!

But you can use it in many other ways: to present fruits of course or cookies, or simply to decorate with a free-standing candle in the middle of the table – The candles will bring out the cobalt blue of the crystal to an amazing effect!
This piece shows a lovely cut out work on the gallery which holds the cobalt blue crystal insert. Pictured are delicate designs of acanthus leaves, floral scrolls, and spokes of heart.
The Jardinière rests on 4 silver pillars feet.
The Dormant shows a simple silver liner.
Its center consists of a mirror which reflects the jardinière, while the bottom part of the dormant is made of mahogany wood.
The work is exquisite and the full effect striking, filled with flowers it is lovely…
The cobalt blue insert is in perfect condition no chips or scratches and is original to the piece. The silver gallery is in perfect condition.
The height given above is that of the complete piece.
The Jardinière itself measures: 11.20 inches long by 8 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches high with the crystal.

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

The Makers Mark is for ‘Maître Orfèvre’ Léon Lapar
His Mark was registered on February 12th 1878, and cancelled in 1897.
He had taken over from Louis Beguin and would in turn leave his workshop to Georges Fouquet Lapar.
His workshop address was first listed as 16 Rue de Choiseul, then 25 Rue de Choiseul in Paris located two streets away from the Paris Opera House.

France 19th Century c.Reference number: CC-237