Beaker and Cover
1754-1755 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This exquisite beaker is a perfect example of Rococo frivolity, the exuberant decoration overwhelming its practicality. The tulip-shaped body decorated with cartouches, scrolls and palms, the scroll-shaped handles, and two playful dolphins entwined on the lid are all typical Rococo flourishes. It was probably made for a toilet service.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt with repousse |
| Brief description | Silver beaker and cover, French (Paris), 1754-5; mark of Louis-Gaspard Thevenot |
| Physical description | Tulip-shaped body with moulded rim, decorated on front and back with Rococo cartouche with scrolls and palms, scroll-shaped handles, gadrooned stem, two dolphins as finial to lid. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | On base of body: maker's mark of Louis-Gaspard Thevenot (working 1735 to around 1768), warden's mark O crowned for the period 13/07/1754 to 12/07/1755, discharge mark horse's head (the discharge mark for large old pieces registered by Julien Berthe on 10/10/1750 and current until 14/10/1756). On rim of base: discharge mark (a hen's head, small gold and silver pieces, same period). On the lid: discharge mark as on rim of base. Inside lid: charge mark (a crowned A with a palm and a laurel). |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Purchase - (£30) Whitehead According to Lightbown this was most likely intended for ceremonial use. Probably from a large ensemble, such as a toilet service. See: Bunt, C.G.E. "18th C. French Silver" (article archives) for general points. |
| Production | PF, unidentified |
| Summary | This exquisite beaker is a perfect example of Rococo frivolity, the exuberant decoration overwhelming its practicality. The tulip-shaped body decorated with cartouches, scrolls and palms, the scroll-shaped handles, and two playful dolphins entwined on the lid are all typical Rococo flourishes. It was probably made for a toilet service. |
| Bibliographic reference | Lightbown, R.W. French Silver. HMSO, 1978. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 531:1, 2-1893 |
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| Record created | February 23, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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