Lot 48
  • 48

"Agriculture": A French silver tazza-form trophy, Christofle, Paris, the figures modeled by Pierre-Louis Rouillard and Eugene Capy, dated 1861

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description

  • the base engraved Ch Christofle Ft 1861
  • silvered metal
  • height 25in.
  • 63.5cm
the circular base on openwork feet, decorated with figures of sheep and a bull, plow, and grain, below a baluster stem and spreading cup decorated with bas-reliefs of paturage, moisson, vendage, and labourage, within an inscription, below a figure of Ceres on a pedestal decorated with the Imperial arms

Exhibited

(the model)
International Exhibition of 1862, London
Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1867
The Second Empire: Art in France under Napoleon III: Philadelphia, Detroit, and Paris, 1979 (an example of this model presented in 1866)

Condition

could use straightening, lip at base of bowl bent up but not obvious, panel in bowl with scenes not fully flat, otherwise good, well modeled
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The dish inscribed around the rim Minister de agriculture du Commerce et des Travaux Publics. MDCCCLXVI.

This appears to be one of the earliest examples of this model of "Prime d'Honneur" for the Regional Agricultural Competitions, used again at least in 1866.  At the Salon of 1861 the sculptor Pierre-Louis Rouillard exhibited a "coupe, in gold and silver" presented at the regional Agricultural Competitions of that year; this may have been the prototype.  The model was shown by Christofle at the International Exhibitions of 1862 of 1867.

An album of Christofle's work for the Ministry of Agriculture reveals that the figure of Ceres was modeled by Eugene Capy, a graduate of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and at this point one of Christofle's main modelers.  He worked on other prestigious projects for the firm, such as the centerpiece for the Hotel de Ville and the gilt-bronze centerpiece of Napoleon III.  The same album shows that Rouillard was responsible for the animals and probably for the bas-reliefs.  He was even more of a favorite under the Second Empire, working not just on the Christofle pieces mentioned above, but also on the sculpted ornaments of the new Louvre and the Opera.