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Lot Essay
The coat-of-arms is that of the Emperor Napoleon as King of Italy, used from the time of his coronation in Milan, May 20th, 1805 until his abdication on 11 April 1814.
In his quest to recreate the decorative splendor of the ancient Imperial world, Napoleon became an active patron of the leading French craftsmen, including Odiot and his chief competitor, Martin-Guillaume Biennais. Other commissions known to have been made by Odiot for Napoleon include a silver-gilt traveling tea service (1798-1809) now at the Musées Nationaux, as well as numerous diplomatic gifts, and commissions for members of his family.
Maison Odiot still retains the bronze models for the cast border and handles of this tray, with some slight variations. A similar smaller tray by Odiot is in the Armory in the Kremlin, Moscow.
In his quest to recreate the decorative splendor of the ancient Imperial world, Napoleon became an active patron of the leading French craftsmen, including Odiot and his chief competitor, Martin-Guillaume Biennais. Other commissions known to have been made by Odiot for Napoleon include a silver-gilt traveling tea service (1798-1809) now at the Musées Nationaux, as well as numerous diplomatic gifts, and commissions for members of his family.
Maison Odiot still retains the bronze models for the cast border and handles of this tray, with some slight variations. A similar smaller tray by Odiot is in the Armory in the Kremlin, Moscow.