Paris 1819-1838 - Solid Silver Drageoir With Dolphins, Louis XVIII Period

Solid silver drageoir decorated with abundance motifs and dolphins

The body with an openwork design of cornucopias framing large palmettes, foliage, acanthus, flowers and medallions on an architectural base, richly decorated scrolled grips, the lid topped by a burst pomegranate grip on a radiating terrace. Four dolphins support the bowl and stand on a circular pedestal, itself on a quadrangular base adorned with a frieze of fruit and roses alternating with floral medallions on an amati background and resting on four claw feet.
The lining is in cut crystal decorated with ovals.

The master goldsmith's hallmark has not been identified, but can be found on the lid, body and base (all from the same maker).

Marks on lid, body and base: 
•    Master goldsmith, 
•    "Vieillard 1er titre" (French mark for solid silver 950/1000 in Paris between 1819 and 1838), 
•    Garantie de Paris ("Grosse" and "Moyenne"). 

Silver weight: 470 gr.

The dolphin motif is a recurring motif in the ornamentation of Louis XVIII period silverware, faithful to an iconography inherited from the Empire but treated differently, preserving or reintroducing classical monarchical references.