Paire de timbales en or 20 ct par Puiforcat, Paris, XXe siècle

à côtes torses, finement gravées, d'après le modèle de la timbale en or d'Anne d'Autriche conservée au Louvre, collection Niarchos, signée Puiforcat Paris, dans deux étuis en cuir vert aux initiales J.G.P et F.M.P



finely engraved and spirally fluted after the `Anne of Austria' gold beaker of circa 1660 in the Niarchos donation to the Louvre,  signed Puiforcat Paris, in two fitted green leather-bound cases initialled J.G.P and F.M.P

Gold beakers in very good condition
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Une grande attention fut apportée à ce que ces timbales soient conformes à l'originale. Ceci fut possible car la timbale originale se trouvait être en la possession de Louis-Victor Taburet, prenant le nom de Puiforcat lors de son mariage avec l'héritière de la famille. Il rassembla une très importante collection d'orfèvrerie française censée être vendue à Paris à la galerie Charpentier en 1955. Finalement, l'ensemble de la collection fut acheté par Stavros Niarchos qui en fit donation conditionnelle au Louvre. Il s'agit de la seule paire créée par Puiforcat depuis la guerre. Une autre paire fut exécutée mais sans ciselure.

Sotheby's remercie vivement Joël Feigly, de Puiforcat, pour son aide précieuse.



Great care has been taken to make these beakers as close to the original as possible. Although each is about 40 g heavier, they conform very well in terms of height, diameter and faithfulness of the engraving. This was only possible because the original gold beaker was owned by Louis-Victor Taburet who changed his name to Puiforcat on marrying into that family. He put together a highly important collection of French Goldsmith's work which came to public auction in Paris in 1955. The auction never happened. Instead the whole collection was purchased a few days before the sale by the late Stavros Niarchos, who made a conditional donation of it to the Louvre. This pair of gold beakers thought to have been made as part of an order of goldware for a South American client in the1950's are the only complete examples made by Puiforcat since the war. One other gold example has been made, but this was without engraving  
Sothebys gratefully thanks Joël Feigly of Puiforcat, for help with this catalogue entry