Empire-style Teapot With Coat Of Arms In Solid Silver By Odiot, Paris 1809-1819

A superb First Empire period teapot in solid silver, hallmarked with the highest standard (950/1000) and the guarantee marks of the Paris silversmiths for the period 1809-1819. This elegant piece of silverware is the work of the prestigious Parisian master silversmith Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot (1763-1850), a major figure in the renowned Odiot dynasty of silversmiths. Son, grandson, and father of silversmiths, Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot remains one of the greatest names in French silversmithing. A supplier to the imperial court, he worked for Napoleon I as well as for several members of the imperial family, notably Madame Mère, Laetitia Bonaparte, who was among his most important clients. His most famous work remains the sumptuous cradle of the King of Rome, now housed in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna. The teapot has an elegant cylindrical silhouette typical of the First Empire style, characterized by its simple lines and harmonious proportions. The delicately crafted spout terminates in a finely chiseled zoomorphic head, while the insulating handle in black wood—probably ebony—attests to a design that is both aesthetic and functional. The lid is surmounted by a finial in the shape of a seed. The body of the piece is adorned with finely engraved coats of arms surmounted by a crown, indicating an aristocratic commission. The arms of the bride belong to a member of the Jehannot d'Huriel de Bartillat family, Marquis d'Huriel and de Bartillat. The initial "GJ," engraved twice on the teapot, corroborates this identification and reinforces the historical significance of the object. This piece testifies to the refinement of Parisian silversmithing at the beginning of the 19th century and perfectly illustrates the technical and artistic excellence of the Odiot firm, whose creations were sought after by the greatest courts of Europe throughout the 19th century. Material: solid silver (950/1000) Period: First Empire, 1809-1819 Silversmith: Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, Paris. Height: 13.5 cm