A FRENCH SILVER SURTOUT DE TABLE, FROMENT-MEURICE, PARIS, CIRCA 1906 |

heavily cast and chased with festoons of flowers over flowerhead trelliswork above hoof supports, applied with cast cartouches with two coats-of-arms accollé below a ducal crown, ribbon-bound reeded borders, comprising: a two-handled shaped oval jardinière, fixed liner, 57cm., 22 1/2 in. wide over handles, four circular dessert stands (with later glass dishes), 10.5cm., 4 1/8 in. high, and a pair of five-light candelabra with draped female figure and cornucopia stems, complete with detachable nozzles, post-1879 French export mark

Commissioned for the wedding of Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria (1884-1958) and Maria Teresa de Borbon, Infanta of Spain (1882-1912), Madrid, 12 January 1906, Their son Infante José Eugenio de Baviera y Borbon (1909-1966),

His daughter Maria Cristina de Baviera y Messia, Condesa de Odiel (1913-2014),

With a Spanish antique dealer;

Private Collection, Madrid,

From acquired by the present owner.

all pieces, including sconces, marked with post-1879 export marks. The four stands with makers and retailers marks. The glass dishes later replacements. The liner of the large dish unmarked and possibly silver-plated. All pieces are of excellent gauge and quality. One of the candelabra with slightly bent and uneven branches, one of the stands with leaning and pressed-in bowl. Otherwise 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."

'THE SPANISH ROYAL MARRIAGE.
'(From our own correspondent.) MADRID, Jan. 12. [1906]
'The marriage of Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria and the Infanta Maria Theresa was solemnised to-day in the Chapel of the Palace in the presence of King Alfonso, Queen Christina, princely relatives of the bride and bridegroom, and the chief dignitaries of Spain. The ceremony was performed by Cardinal Sancha, Archbishop of Toledo and Primate of Spain. 'After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom, accompanied by King Alfonso, Queen Christina, and nineteen Princes and Princesses, appeared on the balcony of the Palace, and were enthusiastically cheered by a large crowd which filled the Palace square.'
(The Morning Post, London, Saturday, 13 January 1906. p. 8a) The firm of Froment-Meurice was established by François-Désiré Froment-Meurice (1802-1855) in 1832. He was succeeded by his son Emile (1837-1913) who continued to increase the prestige of the firm, being commissioned to make the "Paris Tiara," a papal tiara given to Pope Leo XIII by the people of Paris in 1888 to commemorate fifty years in the priesthood.

At the 1867 Exposition Universelle, Froment-Meurice showed two garnitures that had been produced in collaboration with the sculptor Emile-François Carlier (1849-1927): the extraordinary ivory and blue enamel Garniture de Cheminée (exhibited Musée de la Vie Romantique 2003, Trésors d'argent, les Froment-Meurice, orfèvres romantiques parisiens, cat no 66) and the Surtout aux Fritillaires ordered by Emperor Napoleon III (now in the Musée Arts Decoratifs, inv. 14338 [A-à-C]). Another surtout de table, now in the Louvre, was commissioned for The Duke of Luynes’ between 1846 and 1851 which exhibits similar figural elements to the present group.