A PAIR OF FRENCH SILVER-GILT DOUBLE SALT-CELLARS

MAKER'S MARK OF CHARLES CHRISTOFLE, PARIS, CIRCA 1865, SIGNED PAUL CHRISTOFLE ET HENRI BOUILHET ORF.

Details

A PAIR OF FRENCH SILVER-GILT DOUBLE SALT-CELLARS
maker's mark of Charles Christofle, Paris, circa 1865, signed Paul Christofle et Henri Bouilhet Orf.
On central plinth and outer scroll feet, the sides cast and chased with foliage, dolphins, fruit and flutes, the handle formed as a standing infant bacchanal flanked by seated putti variously holding a bell, a pestle and mortar, a box and a grater above models of a cockatoo on one and an albatross on the other, marked and signed on bases
16 cm. (6¼ in.) long
1391 gr. (44 oz.) (2)

Lot Essay

Charles Christofle founded the family firm in 1831. He married Anne Henriette Bouilhet and on his death appointed his son Paul and brother-in-law Henri Bouilhet to succeed him in the firm. At that time the firm was a considerable enterprise employing close to 1500 people. This pair of unusual salt-cellars was presumably designed by Henri Bouilhet himself and may well have been exhibited in the 1867 Paris International Exhibition.

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