Emile FROMENT-MEURICE (1837-1913). Important... Lot 124

Emile FROMENT-MEURICE (1837-1913). Important tableware in richly chased silver, the top part showing Ceres seated in the round, holding in her hands ears of wheat and a cornucopia, and supported by four leafy scrolls ending with trophies of agricultural instruments. The base is decorated with an ox, a calf and sheep also in the round, with stylized motifs and scenes of ploughing. Each end decorated with a cartouche engraved for the one "Ministry of Agriculture and Trade, premium of honor regional competition of Blois 1875" and for the other "to Mr. TAUVIN in Pont-Levoy Loir-et-Cher". The bottom of the especially in bronze or gilded metal resting on four small feet in flattened spheres. Around 1870. Stamped with the name of the goldsmith in all letters. Gross weight : 10 900 g. 49 x 53 x 40 cm. Bibliography : A similar centerpiece is reproduced in the book " L'orfèvrerie française au XVIIIe et XIXe siècles " by Henri BOUILHET, p. 176, third book L'Orfèvrerie Française au XIXe siècle Deuxième période (1860-1900). (See back cover) Silver Treasures of the Froment-Meurice Romantic Goldsmiths of Paris, Paris Museums 2003, in the context of the exhibition held at the Museum of Romantic Life from February 4 to June 15, 2003. Note: Since 1870, the Ministry of Agriculture had instituted a competition between the most renowned silversmiths every five years for the creation of objets d'art to be given as prizes to the winners of agricultural exhibitions. Thus, the most prestigious silversmiths such as the Fannière brothers, Christofle, Odiot, Froment-Meurice, artists such as Falguière, Carrier-Belleuse executed prestigious works.