3 18th-century Silver Plates Bearing The Coat Of Arms Of Charles-françois De Calvière (1693–1777), Paris

Three 18th-century solid silver round plates with scalloped edges, bearing the coat of arms of Charles-François de Calvière(1693–1777), Marquis de Vézénobres

The horse hallmark for Paris, used from 1732 to 1738, is visible on the rim of the three plates.

The small crowned “a” is the hallmark for Paris between 1732 and 1738.

The crowned V–T hallmark is the date letter for 1735 and 1736

Unfortunately, the goldsmith’s meter hallmark is illegible

39 cm diameter, 1,595 g.  - Letter V
30.5 cm in diameter, 931 g. - Letter T
30.5 cm in diameter, 983 g. - Letter T

Charles-François de Calvière(1693–1777), Marquis de Vézénobres, was a lieutenant general, a renowned French art collector and Freemason during the reign of Louis XV.

He led a brilliant military career at the royal court while nurturing a great passion for art, literature, and esotericism.

Military Career: He entered service in 1711 as a page in the Petite Écurie and became a childhood friend and playmate of Louis XV.

He rose through the ranks of the Royal Guard and was appointed lieutenant general of the royal armies in 1748.

Art Collector: In Paris, he frequented the most influential artistic circles.

He built an impressive private collection consisting of rare books, paintings, prints, drawings, and antiquities.

A significant portion of his collection is now housed at the Calvière Museum in Avignon

Freemasonry: The marquis played a historic role in the early days of French Freemasonry.

Initiated by Jacobite nobles in the Stuarts’ entourage, he became involved in

esoteric movements such as the Primitive Scottish Rite.

Vézénobres Castle: After his retirement in 1755, he withdrew to the Gard (Languedoc), where he had
cthe majestic Château de Calvières built to house his extensive art collection.