Lot Essay
The arms are those of Demidoff.
The Odiot firm had a long-standing relationship with the influential Demidoff family (which had made its fortune in Russian mines and ironworks), having supplied one of the greatest dinner services of the Empire period to Count Nikolai Demidoff (1773-1828). When Charles-Nicolas Odiot (1789-1869) took overy the venerated family firm, he continued this relationship, by designing a new table service in 1831 for Count Paul Demidoff (1798-1840), who was the son of Nikolai Demidoff. It is likely that this tray was produced as part of this commission or for Paul's brother Anatole.
Charles-Nicolas not only produced silver in the classical style, for which the firm was famous (see decanter stand, lot 71), but also drew the company in a new design direction with his great interest in naturalism and the rococo revival. This exceptional tray not only reflects the new designs of Charles-Nicolas but is unusual as it was produced in silver, rather that silver-plate, reflecting the significant nature of the commission.
The Odiot firm had a long-standing relationship with the influential Demidoff family (which had made its fortune in Russian mines and ironworks), having supplied one of the greatest dinner services of the Empire period to Count Nikolai Demidoff (1773-1828). When Charles-Nicolas Odiot (1789-1869) took overy the venerated family firm, he continued this relationship, by designing a new table service in 1831 for Count Paul Demidoff (1798-1840), who was the son of Nikolai Demidoff. It is likely that this tray was produced as part of this commission or for Paul's brother Anatole.
Charles-Nicolas not only produced silver in the classical style, for which the firm was famous (see decanter stand, lot 71), but also drew the company in a new design direction with his great interest in naturalism and the rococo revival. This exceptional tray not only reflects the new designs of Charles-Nicolas but is unusual as it was produced in silver, rather that silver-plate, reflecting the significant nature of the commission.