Easter, Empire Egg Cups, Paris 1803-1809, Jja. Blanchard, Solid Silver

Extremely rare pair of Empire style egg cups, the oldest of which dates from the period 1803-1809 and the most recent from after 1838. The first is by the hand of the goldsmith Jean-Joseph-Amedé Blanchard, who was awarded the title of master goldsmith in Paris in 1803, the second probably dates from the Louis-Philippe period and is by the hand of another Parisian goldsmith, Louis Manant, several of whose works are in the collections of the Louvre Museum. They both bear the hallmarks of the first silver title of their respective periods (CoQ or Minerva). They are quite large and rather heavy for egg cups. Their shape is inspired by the so-called "Athenian" tables as found on ancient frescoes in Pompeii or Herculaneum, where several of these bronze objects were discovered during archaeological excavations in the eighteenth century. They weigh 135 grams. Egg cups dating from the Empire period (1804-1815) are very rare and this can be explained by several reasons linked to consumption habits, production methods and economic constraints of the time. The boiled egg was not a dish commonly served at the table under the Empire. Eggs were used more in culinary preparations (pastries, sauces, omelets) than eaten alone. Unlike the 18th century, when tableware became increasingly sophisticated, under the Empire, the emphasis was placed on more sober tableware influenced by Antiquity. Price: €975 Artist: Jean Joseph Amedé Blanchard for one and Louis Manant for the other Period: 19th century Style: Empire - Consulate Condition: Perfect condition Material: Solid silver Diameter: 4.6 cm Height: 6.5 cm