Silver sugar bowl, LESOT de LA PANNETERIE Paris circa 1797-1798

A large covered sugar bowl, with a solid silver frame decorated with ironwork, adorned in the centre with a shield engraved with the monogram "JA" in English letters, the lip highlighted with a delicate frieze of chased pearls. It stands on four claw feet, its doucine lid topped by a grip in the form of two strawberries au naturel.

Marks (body and lid)
• 1er coq Paris 1er titre (french marc for solid silver 950/1000 in Paris between 1798 and 1809).
• Paris medium guarantee.
• Boar's head turned to the right and the number 1 (hallmark of the guild of goldsmiths in Paris in 1797).
• Master-goldsmith: "SLP une fontaine" for Alexandre-André-Camille LESOT de LA PANNETERIE.

Gross weight: 636 g; net weight: 351 g.


Typical of late 18th century goldsmiths, this piece takes the form of a Louis XVI model, whose characteristic motifs have been greatly refined. The straight lines, the shield and the absence of superfluous ornamentation are as much the result of economic necessity as of political intent, and herald the Consulate style, which in turn prefigured the Empire style.

Alexandre-André-Camille LESOT de LA PANNETERIE was a Parisian silversmith who practised from the Revolutionary period until the Restoration. He is also known as DELAPANNETERIE or LAPANNETERIE.
His hallmark was registered on 11 Frimmaire de l'an V (1 December 1796). There is evidence of his work until around 1821. He was established at number 6 rue Montmartre.
He is known to have made a number of high-quality pieces, mainly in private hands, but the Mobilier National still holds an important ewer and its basin with a handle formed by an impressive winged dragon and marked "Chapelle Royale" (Royal Chapel) and another crossed out.


MUSEUMS

• MOBILIER NATIONAL, PARIS, Aiguière et son bassin, vermeil. Paris 1796-1809.
• ÉGLISE PAROISSIALE SAINT-CARADEC, SAINT-CARADEC, Calice et patène 2, silver and vermeil. Paris 1798-1809.
• ÉGLISE PAROISSIALE NOTRE-DAME-AUX-NEIGES, AURILLAC, Ciboire, silver and vermeil. Paris 1798-1809.
• ANCIEN HÔPITAL HÔTEL-DIEU, ORLEANS, Ciboire, silver and vermeil. Paris 1798-1809.
• ÉGLISE PAROISSIALE SAINT-TIMOTHÉE, VENEROLLES, Calice, silver and copper. Paris c. 1796-1797.