Rochefort 1788, Large Tripod Coffee Pot, François Minute, Solid Silver, Jug,

Very large and very solid tripod coffee pot or jug in solid silver from the Louis XVI period with its unscrewable handle in turned ebony. It bears the hallmark of the jurande (in the shape of a rock) of the town of Rochefort for the year 1788, the hallmark of the brand and the hallmark of master goldsmith of François Minute on the bottom but also in the lid. This goldsmith was originally from Turin and worked for more than 18 years as a journeyman in several towns of the kingdom of France and notably in Rochefort where he finally asked for admission to the mastery but encountered opposition from established goldsmiths. It was only thanks to his appeal to the Court of Mints of La Rochelle that he finally won his case in 1782. He worked there until the end of the old regime. The jug is in excellent condition. Opposite its handle is engraved a very beautiful patrician coat of arms from the time of its manufacture that I unfortunately could not identify. This beautiful object weighs a very impressive 1100 grams.