Swan Decorated Antique French Silver Drageoir by Meurice

A Substantial Antique French Silver ‘Drageoir’ by ‘Maitre Orfèvre’ Pierre Jacques MEURICE.

In France we call them ‘Drageoir’ or ‘Confiturier’, but the only official name is a ‘Confiturier’ (Hence a Jam container), and we can add that, originally, they were only thought of, and used, as Sugar Bowls.

The body of this elegant Drageoir is Baluster shaped (or Medicis Vase Shaped) with six Figural ‘Tableaux’ of cornucopia and palmettos.
The Cornucopia theme means of course abundance of blessing in one’s life,
Making this charming sugar bowl a lovely wedding gift.
The lid of the Drageoir is topped by a beautiful swan with outstretched wings.
This time around of course the Swan symbolizes fidelity of sentiments.
The two silver handles share the same Swan design stemming out of cornucopias.
The pedestal rests on 4 silver lions’ paws.
The bowl’s insert is in Cobalt Blue Glass and is original to the piece, with no losses.

The Hallmark is Poinçon Vieillard (or Michael Ange) 1 -1st title (950/1000)- 1819 to 1838 – Paris.

The Maker’s Mark is for Pierre Jacques MEURICE. One of the best Maître Orfèvre of his time.
The Mark shows a P and an M on both sides of a spear of wheat, resting on top of a crescent.
Pierre Jacques MEURICE was received as Master in 1806 and established his shop at 12 Cloitre Notre Dame; he then moved in 1811 to the Arcade St Jean very close to the Hotel De Ville de Paris, and finally stepped down in 1828.
He was the Stepfather of François Desire FROMENT, who he would take under his wing, highly influencing his work and to whom he would eventually turn his workshop to in 1828.
To honor his stepfather François Desire FROMENT would take up his name and really reached the height of his fame as FROMENT MEURICE starting 1839.

France 19th Century c.H: 11.02"W: 7.28"D: 5.51"Reference number: D-189