Bruges 1798-1809, Sugar Bowl, Philippus Meys Or Mys, Solid Silver

Very interesting Empire period drageoir in solid silver. It is still deeply imbued with the Louis XVI style, as practiced in Bruges at the end of the eighteenth century. This is explained by the biographical background of its maker, Philippus Meys, who was born in Audenaerde in 1759 and apprenticed there as a goldsmith from 1772 before leaving for Paris where he spent many years as a companion in the service of the famous goldsmith of the Duke of Orleans, Antoine Boullier. In 1788 his master wrote a long and very complimentary letter about him to assure the Bruges goldsmiths' corporation of the excellent know-how of Philippe Meys. Despite their opposition, he obtained the right to practice his art in the Venice of the North thanks to the intervention of Emperor Joseph II who granted him the right to practice in Bruges in 1789. He continued there with great success until his death in 1847. The pieces of his hand are always of excellent quality and often very prestigious. I give as proof the magnificent stem of roses which serves as a fretel on the lid and which is simply sublime. No question for our goldsmith of taking a simple fretel in cast silver, no each petal, each leaf and their stem are forged by hand and assembled to obtain this magnificent result. This piece bears the guarantee hallmarks of the French occupation, the "first rooster" and the different of the Bruges control office. It weighs 440 grams.