A HIGHLY IMPORTANT FRENCH SILVER-GILT TEAPOT, TEA-CADDY AND CUP MADE FOR THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON I

MAKER'S MARK OF MARTIN-GUILLAUME BIENNAIS, PARIS, 1804-1809

细节

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT FRENCH SILVER-GILT TEAPOT, TEA-CADDY AND CUP MADE FOR THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON I
Maker's mark of Martin-Guillaume Biennais, Paris, 1804-1809
The oval teapot of shaped outline, chased with a band of stylised palms, the upper rim chased with a band of openwinged eagles, with duck bill spout, the detachable cover chased with similar band of eagles, the ebony finial rising from an oval ebony panel, with similar wood handle, the oval tea-caddy chased with a band of stylised palms on matted ground, the flat detachable cover engraved with a laurel frieze, with sunken centre with hinged ring finial, the polygonal cup engraved with alternate panels of thyrsi and a staff capped by flowers, with ebony handle, each piece engraved with Imperial coat-of-arms, the teapot and tea-caddy also engraved with crowned initial N, fully marked
the teapot 21 cm. (8¼ in.) long
the tea-caddy 7 cm. (2¾ in.) high
the cup 8 cm. (3 1/8 in.) high
gross weight 749 gr. (24 oz.) (3)

来源

These pieces belonging to Emperor Napoléon I were found after the battle of Waterloo in 1815 in his carriage by Prussian soldiers. They were handed to King Frederick-Wilhelm III of Prussia and descended to his younger son Prince Karl of Prussia. In 1883, they were left to Prince Frederick-Leopold of Prussia.

The provenance of this historically important group of silver is detailed in a notarized statement dated 1947 signed by Prince Frederick of Prussia which accompanies this lot.

拍品专文

Biennais won the trust of General Bonaparte when he left Paris for the Egyptian campaign. The General wanted a nécéssaire de voyage, Biennais's speciality, but had no money to pay for it. Biennais gave him the travelling set saying that he was sure the General would come back victorious and would be able to pay for it then. When General Bonaparte became, in 1804, Emperor Napoléon I, he gave Biennais the title of Orfèvre Privilégié de Leurs Majestés Impériales et Royales.