Paris 1798-1809 - Empire Vermeil Bouillon Or Drageoir By L.j. Berger, 1st Rooster Mark
Artist: Louis-jacques Berger
Covered bouillon and its stand in gilt solid silver (vermeil, 950/1000).
In the form of an antique-style cup, it rests on a molded foot decorated with a chased frieze of dart motifs highlighted by a fine bead border. The plain body, molded at the rim, is flanked by two scrolling handles formed of acanthus leaves doubling at the shoulder.
The domed lid is adorned with a delicate frieze of finely chased laurel leaves and berries, surmounted by a band of gadroons. It is topped with a finial featuring attributes of Love, in the form of two doves embracing on a naturalistic base, accompanied by a bow and arrow.
Echoing the lid’s rim, the circular stand is bordered with a frieze of barley grains.
Paris, 1798–1809 – Silversmith: Louis-Jacques BERGER, registered in 1800.
Hallmarks (lid, body, foot, and stand)
• Boar’s head with the numeral 1 (Paris guild mark used in 1797 for first standard silver).
• First rooster mark, 1st standard (950/1000 silver, Paris, 1798–1809).
• Paris guarantee mark.
• Maker’s mark: LJB with a vase for Louis-Jacques BERGER.
Dimensions
• Bouillon: H. 16.5 × W. 22 cm
• Stand: D. 21.8 cm
Weight: 932 g.
Condition report:
Surface scratches and wear consistent with use. Very well preserved overall. Original vermeil with some wear, while retaining remarkable freshness.
A superb piece with delicate chasing, typical of the work of Louis-Jacques BERGER. A very rare example of a sculptural form by this excellent silversmith, known to have supplied pieces for the campaign service of NAPOLÉON I.
The presence of the 1797 Paris guild hallmark suggests production at the very beginning of the Consulate, the piece most likely delivered in the early years of the Empire.
Vermeil objects of this quality, combining symbolic iconography with such refined execution, remain particularly rare for this transitional period. The subject of the finial, with doves and attributes of Love, suggests a presentation piece, possibly for a wedding.
LOUIS-JACQUES BERGER
Louis-Jacques BERGER is a Parisian silversmith active at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. His maker’s mark is registered on 15 Floréal, Year V (4 May 1797).
He first works at 18 Place Thionville and, from 1806 onwards, at 2 Rue du Pont-de-Lodi.
Specialising in silver beakers, he also produces works of religious silverware, notably chalices of exceptionally fine craftsmanship.
Nine silver beakers by Louis-Jacques BERGER are preserved in the collections of Le Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.
A coffee pot by his hand is held in the collections of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, and a chalice in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Two beakers from the travellinng service of NAPOLÉON Ier by Louis-Jacques BERGER are listed[1].
One of them was part of the exhibition Quand Bonaparte devint Napoléon [2] and is illustrated in the catalog published under the direction of Bernard CROISSY.
[1] - Sotheby's Paris, Napoleon : Une collection historique, June 25, 2025, lot 99 : Timbale in silver from the campaign service of Emperor Napoleon I by Louis-Jacques Berger, Paris, 1811-1819. Est. 15-20,000€, result: 44,450€.
- Giquello Paris, Collection Philippe Missilier, March 6, 2025,lot 234: Timbale from the campaign service of Napoleon I, First Empire, circa 1811-1812. Silver timbale with upper rim slightly flared at the drinker, engraved with large imperial arms. Est. 10-20,000€, result: 31,650€.
[2] When Bonaparte became Napoleon, Wasquehal, January 31 - February 22, 2004
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Archive de la Garantie, Paris, pl. d'insculpation n°1 et 14.
• Archive de la Monnaie, Paris, Registre des délibérations An V à an XI.
• Almanach du Commerce 1800, 1805, 1806.
• Tableau des fabriquans en matières d'or, d'argent..., 1804.
• ARMINJON J.-P. et al, Dictionnaire des poinçons de l'orfèvrerie française, Paris, 1985.
• DOUËT S.P., Tableau des symboles de l'orfèvrerie de Paris, 1806 and 1809.
• BOIVIN J., Les Anciens orfèvres, 1925.
In the form of an antique-style cup, it rests on a molded foot decorated with a chased frieze of dart motifs highlighted by a fine bead border. The plain body, molded at the rim, is flanked by two scrolling handles formed of acanthus leaves doubling at the shoulder.
The domed lid is adorned with a delicate frieze of finely chased laurel leaves and berries, surmounted by a band of gadroons. It is topped with a finial featuring attributes of Love, in the form of two doves embracing on a naturalistic base, accompanied by a bow and arrow.
Echoing the lid’s rim, the circular stand is bordered with a frieze of barley grains.
Paris, 1798–1809 – Silversmith: Louis-Jacques BERGER, registered in 1800.
Hallmarks (lid, body, foot, and stand)
• Boar’s head with the numeral 1 (Paris guild mark used in 1797 for first standard silver).
• First rooster mark, 1st standard (950/1000 silver, Paris, 1798–1809).
• Paris guarantee mark.
• Maker’s mark: LJB with a vase for Louis-Jacques BERGER.
Dimensions
• Bouillon: H. 16.5 × W. 22 cm
• Stand: D. 21.8 cm
Weight: 932 g.
Condition report:
Surface scratches and wear consistent with use. Very well preserved overall. Original vermeil with some wear, while retaining remarkable freshness.
A superb piece with delicate chasing, typical of the work of Louis-Jacques BERGER. A very rare example of a sculptural form by this excellent silversmith, known to have supplied pieces for the campaign service of NAPOLÉON I.
The presence of the 1797 Paris guild hallmark suggests production at the very beginning of the Consulate, the piece most likely delivered in the early years of the Empire.
Vermeil objects of this quality, combining symbolic iconography with such refined execution, remain particularly rare for this transitional period. The subject of the finial, with doves and attributes of Love, suggests a presentation piece, possibly for a wedding.
LOUIS-JACQUES BERGER
Louis-Jacques BERGER is a Parisian silversmith active at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. His maker’s mark is registered on 15 Floréal, Year V (4 May 1797).
He first works at 18 Place Thionville and, from 1806 onwards, at 2 Rue du Pont-de-Lodi.
Specialising in silver beakers, he also produces works of religious silverware, notably chalices of exceptionally fine craftsmanship.
Nine silver beakers by Louis-Jacques BERGER are preserved in the collections of Le Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris.
A coffee pot by his hand is held in the collections of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, and a chalice in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Two beakers from the travellinng service of NAPOLÉON Ier by Louis-Jacques BERGER are listed[1].
One of them was part of the exhibition Quand Bonaparte devint Napoléon [2] and is illustrated in the catalog published under the direction of Bernard CROISSY.
[1] - Sotheby's Paris, Napoleon : Une collection historique, June 25, 2025, lot 99 : Timbale in silver from the campaign service of Emperor Napoleon I by Louis-Jacques Berger, Paris, 1811-1819. Est. 15-20,000€, result: 44,450€.
- Giquello Paris, Collection Philippe Missilier, March 6, 2025,lot 234: Timbale from the campaign service of Napoleon I, First Empire, circa 1811-1812. Silver timbale with upper rim slightly flared at the drinker, engraved with large imperial arms. Est. 10-20,000€, result: 31,650€.
[2] When Bonaparte became Napoleon, Wasquehal, January 31 - February 22, 2004
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Archive de la Garantie, Paris, pl. d'insculpation n°1 et 14.
• Archive de la Monnaie, Paris, Registre des délibérations An V à an XI.
• Almanach du Commerce 1800, 1805, 1806.
• Tableau des fabriquans en matières d'or, d'argent..., 1804.
• ARMINJON J.-P. et al, Dictionnaire des poinçons de l'orfèvrerie française, Paris, 1985.
• DOUËT S.P., Tableau des symboles de l'orfèvrerie de Paris, 1806 and 1809.
• BOIVIN J., Les Anciens orfèvres, 1925.
5 200 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Consulat, Empire
Condition: Good condition
Material: Vermeil
Length: 21,5 cm
Diameter: 21,8 cm
Height: 16,8 cm
Reference (ID): 1759505
Availability: In stock
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