Antique French Sterling Silver TETARD & CARDEILHAC Covered Bowl Tureen Ecuelle Quaich

Silver : Antique : Sterling : Holloware : Tureen, Covered Bowl

 

A beautifully engraved 19th century French silver ecuelle or small tureen in the 18th century quaich style! The bowl is large enough to use as a vegetable server (legumier), if desired. The lid is profusely decorated with rococo shells (coquilles), acanthus leaves, c-curves and more, topped by an elaborate knopf or finial. The handles are exquisitely pierced or reticulated, featuring a pair of bow ribbons from which are suspended a sprig of leaves with pea pods (or bean). The front of the bowl bears a monogram ST or TS. The bowl and lid are each marked with the French 1st standard mark, Minerve I guarantee for .950 purity of silver, which is purer than sterling (.925). Silver weight 612 grams (21.6 oz., 19.68 troy ounces).

Interestingly, we have marks for two prestigious French silversmiths, indicating a collaborative relationship not uncommon in France. As shown in the last photo, there is a diamond-shaped lozenge, which is the mark of master silversmith, Edmond TETARD, a Huguenot who traded at 4 rue Beranger, Paris, 1880 - 1903. In addition we have the name of the Maison CARDEILHAC, active in Paris from 1829 - 1920, before it was taken over by Christofle. Both silversmiths won numerous awards at exhibitions over the years and glorious examples from Maisons Tetard and Cardeilhac appear in a number of top museums around the world. Since the diamond-shaped lozenge always represents the maker’s marks on French silver, we know that this piece was created by Maison Tetard and then retailed by Maison Cardeilhac, dating the bowl to the time of Edmond Tetard, c. 1880-1903.

Dimensions: c. 10 1/2 X 5 X 6 3/4 in. (26.4 X 12.5 X 17.2 cm.)

The ecuelle is in very good antique condition with a beautiful patina. The lid is snug fitting when turned in its best position. There is a very shallow, small dent on the lower right side of the bowl (impossible to photograph) and the expected micro-scratches from normal use. A magnificent example of this special form, from two of the most prestigious silversmiths of nineteenth-century France!

Item ID: 0208-01