Fratelli Coppini - Pair of solid silver sea creatures saltcellars, Italy

Pair of solid silver salerons by FRATELLI COPPINI house. Shaped like a nave, the upper part features two confronting male sea creatures, the anthropomorphic face half-man half-fish, the torso clad in armor, the lower part formed by two intertwined tails encircling each other's waists, the arms grasping firmly. They stand on waves resting on a cone-shaped pedestal and a quadrangular base. The salt bowls are formed by phantasmagorical sea monsters with fish bodies whose wrathful expression faces the creature's frightened face, themselves resting on scrolled consoles finely chased with scrolls and grimacing faces, draped in the inspiration of cut-out leathers adorned with fish tails, garlands of fish, conch shells and shells linked by turtles giving rhythm to the composition.

Marks:
- Title: 800 thousandths.
- Master goldsmith: FRATELLI COPPINI.
- Made in Italy in full.

Italy, late 19th or early 20th century.


Fine illustration of Italian silversmithing, this pair of salt cellars rivals finesse and quality of execution with the incredible originality of its iconographic repertoire, which reinterprets figures from marine mythology. The delicacy of the chasing work is here put to the service of fantasy with these cups formed of sea monsters seemingly ready to engulf sentinels somewhat frightened by this vision.

Probably part of a larger ensemble that recalls the great productions of the 18th century, these salt cellars testify to the creativity and refinement of Italian goldsmithing.

FRATELLI COPPINI was founded in Florence in 1740 as a goldsmith's and silversmith's workshop, and is still in business today, specializing in high jewelry and fine timepieces.

The RISD Museum (Providence, RI - USA) holds three pieces by FRATELLI COPPINI.