Lovely Antique French Silver Drageoir By EA Courtois~Sold~

Lovely Antique French Silver ‘Drageoir’ or ‘Confiturier’ by Etienne Auguste COURTOIS.
The only official name for this piece is really a ‘Confiturier’ (Hence a Jam container), but we use the other term because it is now more current.
As a side note we can also confirm they were only thought of and used as Ceremonial Sugar Bowls.

This particular lovely piece is by ‘Maitre Orfèvre’ Etienne Auguste COURTOIS, and if it looks somehow familiar it is because we had a piece near identical to it by the same Master Silversmith, which went to a New lovely home last month!

The body of the ‘Drageoir’ is bowl shaped with large Palm Fronds decorating its surface for a total of eight figural ‘Tableaux’.
The handles are another highlight of the piece ending in a Lioness head that carry incredible details and refinement. The lionesses’ heads connect to the rim by resting on a bundle of grapes. The handles are also engraved with vines and grapes as well as acanthus leaves.
The ‘Frétel’ (or finial) showcases an Acorn.
The pedestal is square, resting on four round pearls of silver and connects to the main body by a wreath of laurel leaves.
The bowl insert is white crystal with light ‘facettes’, it is original and in perfect shape with no chips or dents.
The piece is absolutely flawless!! It is gorgeous!

The Hallmark is ‘Tête De Veillard’ (or Michael Ange) -1st title (950/1000)- Paris – 1819 -1838.

This lovely piece was created by Maitre Orfèvre Etienne August COURTOIS.
The Mark shows the letters A C topped by a boat or ‘Navette’ in French with one dot underneath the letters. He was received as Maitre Orfèvre in 1834, and resided at 62 Rue Du Temple in Paris in what is now known as the Marais area.
He specialized in the ‘Partie de Table’ which means the more important pieces for table decoration.

H: 9.3"W: 5307.5"D: 3.1"Reference number: D-109