Description:

*French Empire silver-gilt soupière, from the Borghese service by Martin-Guillaume Biennais Paris 1798-1819, after a design by Percier and Fontaine
the cover with figural finial seated on applied anthemion; the tureen leaf-capped handles, seahorses flanking medallions Medusa, raised on pedestal base adorned with acanthus leaves and rosettes, ending on square base with winged lion feet. The arms are those of Borghese for Prince Camillo and Pauline Borghese, engraved on cover and tureen; the liner engraved B with crown; interior of covered engraved: BIENNAIS ORFEVRE DE S. MTES L'EMPEREUR ET ROI A PARIS; tureen and liner dated 1798-1809, and cover 1809-1819; compete French 1st Standard marks and maker's punch on each piece; overall H12 1/2" W10 1/2", and Total 87.7ozT

Provenance: Prince Camillo Borghese, who married Pauline Bonaparte, the sister of the Emperor Napoleon on 6 November 1803
The Borghese Palace Sale, Giacomini and Capobianchi, Rome, 28 March-9 April 1892
Prince Baucina
Ercole Canessa
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, American Art Association/Anderson Galleries Inc., New York, 5 Jan. 1934 (Lot 692, color illustration)
Mr. & Mrs. Charles V. Hickox
Estate of Katrina Hickox Becker

Exhibitions: Art Institute of Chicago, 24 June 1924-Nov. 1932

Literature: Dion-Tenenbaum. Anne. L'ORFEVRE DE NAPOLEON, MARIN-GUILLAUME BIENNAIS. RMN Dessins Expositions, 2003, p. 43-44 and 57-59



Other Notes: The Borghese service comprised of nearly one thousand pieces of tableware was a special-order commission to French master silversmith, Martin Guillaume Biennais. The production of the vast service was overseen Biennais, he personally produced the larges and most important pieces of the services, and subcontracted other fine silversmith Lorillon, Odiot, Naudin, Michel Kinon and Aimee-Catherine Cleri of the time to assist in the production of small wares and flatware.

Mrs. Charles Virgil Hickox (Mrs. Becker's mother) donated a large selection of serving pieces flatware from this extraordinary service to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1966. (Ref.#1966.98-through 1966-122).

See related pieces from this extraordinary service
Christie's-Paris (27 Nov. 2018, Lot 512)
Christie's-London (30 May 2012, Lot 259)
Sotheby's-Paris (8 Nov. 2012, Lot 172, 177)
Sotheby's-Paris (17 May 2011, Lot 157)
Sotheby's-London (2 June 2009, Lot 121)
Christie's-London (2 June 2009, Lot 122)

    Condition:
  • Condition statement: The lid has two scratches, and wear to gilding along edges. Overall good very good condition no evidence of repair, and very gently used. Very nice piece.


    *** Notice to bidders: The absence of a condition report does not imply that an object is free of defects or restoration. Condition reports are prepared by request on a 'first come, first served' basis. For more information please read paragraph #9 of Terms and Condition of Sale.

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October 16, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
West Columbia, SC, US

Charlton Hall

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