POSSIBLY GERMAN, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY

Though unmarked, the present egg cup is almost identical in form to a number of other examples by Augsburg silversmiths. An early example engraved with overlapping feather patterns to both bowls by Johan II Leser dated 1690-1694 is illustrated in I. Heller, Europäische Goldschmiedearbeiten 1650-1860, Munich, 2003, p. 87, no. 57. Another example by Paul Solanier dated 1731-1733 was sold from the Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon at Christie's, London, 14 June 2006, lot 7213.

The arms are possibly those of Edouard Colbert, Marquis de Villacerf (1628-1699), as seen in a print by engraver Charles Mavelot (1685-1742). Villacerf was a courtier of Louis XIV and served as commission of Inspector General of the King's Buildings.