Amethyst and silver salt crystal by Louis Bruneau, 19th century

Amethyst crystal salt flask in a trapezoid-shaped morocco case with a fishnet frame. Four figures perched on a pedestal are placed in a niche cut in the crystal, representing respectively: an infantryman with sword and shield on the ground, a woman in peasant headdress with an offering in her hand, a man wearing a hat and coloured boots in short dress, with sword slung over his shoulder, and a lady in long dress with crowned head. Gothic silver work. Circa 1850.
Master silversmith: LB in a lozenge with a feather beak and a dot on top for Louis Bruneau. Inscribed in 1823, crossed out in 1843, he was one of the few Frenchmen to send works of art to the London exhibition in 1851 (the Duc de Luynes mentions him in his writings). Boar's head hallmark from 1838.
Dim: H 4.92 / W 1.49 in / D 0.98 in.

Bibliography: french jewelry of the 19th century, VEVER p. 483.