Large Salt Cellar In Solid Gold, Pearls & Crystal, Decorated With A Marquis's Crown & Peer Of France

An exceptional 19th-century crystal and gold smelling smelling smelling bottle.

The crystal bottle is pear-shaped and engraved with the monogram LH beneath a marquis's coronet.

The base and neck are covered with an openwork gold mesh pattern featuring cascading finials.

The bottle's lid is formed by a sublime and extraordinary solid gold marquis's coronet adorned with half-pearls and surmounted by the cap of the Peerage of France, itself topped with a pearl.

This coronet is a small masterpiece of goldsmithing; it is relatively substantial and highly detailed, with alternating fleurons set with half-pearls and clusters of gold pearls.

The Peerage's coronet is crafted in trompe-l'oeil, imitating fabric.

The internal emery stopper is present.

The gold is not hallmarked but has been tested to be at least 18 carats.

Magnificent (that's an understatement) bottle, a likely unique piece commissioned by a Marquis and Peer of France for his wife.

The crown is exceptional, its striking presence accentuated by the contrast of the white pearls against the yellow gold, the cut-out motifs of florets and pearls, and the naturalistic rendering of the cap.

I have never seen such a bottle surmounted by a crown serving as a lid. This work is reminiscent of the production of Froment-Meurice, although it cannot be definitively attributed due to the lack of a hallmark.

It is undoubtedly the work of a great goldsmith, comparable to them, for a prestigious client.

12.3 cm high
3.8 cm wide
1.5 cm thick

58.3 grams gross

Superb condition.

Collection in Paris or shipping via insured Colissimo.

France: €25
Europe: €30
Rest of the World: €55