A lovely and intricate French Antique Silver and Crystal Drageoir by Antoine Hience.
In France we call them ‘Drageoir’ or ‘Confiturier’ – But the only official name is a ‘Confiturier’ (Hence a Jam container), and it turns out that originally, they were only thought of and used as Ceremonial Sugar Bowls.
Contrary to many of these pieces, here the Crystal urn is completely apparent and elegantly wheel cut into ‘facettes’. The other particularity is that the silver handles and rim are removable in order to facilitate the cleaning and up keeping of the piece.
The body is Baluster shaped and rests on a solid silver pedestal carved in volutes and scrolls.
The handles consist in two Majestic Swans with outstretched wings rising out of an acanthus cornucopia. Here again the details on the swans are staggeringly beautiful! The heads, eyes and beaks are just amazing!
The Hallmark is ‘Poinçon Au Vieillard’ -1st title (950/1000) -1819-1838- Paris
The Makers Mark is for Antoine Hience. It shows his initials separated by crossed anchors.
His marked was registered in 1798 and canceled in 1828.
His workshop was first located 30 Quai des Orfèvres then 60 Quai des Orfèvres in Paris.