Pair Of Louis XV Regency-style Salt And Pepper Shakers, Late 19th Century
A charming pair of small, baluster-shaped silver shakers. Prestigious tableware pieces, they feature particularly fine and elegant engraving. The rhythmic decoration consists of:
The pieces bear hallmarks clearly stamped on the neck of the body and beneath the pedestal (circular hallmarks to be identified; see detailed photos).
Tableware and the Use of Sugar Shakers in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, tableware experienced a golden age and adhered to very strict serving protocols. Sugar shakers, the successors to the large 18th-century sugar bowls, became smaller in size to accommodate new individual uses or small gatherings. Typically presented in pairs, they were arranged on either side of the table or on ornate centerpieces. One was traditionally reserved for fine sugar or cinnamon for desserts, while the other contained ground pepper or rare spices to season meats. The decoration on our pair—alternating between latticework motifs, beaded friezes, and cascading floral patterns—reflects the widespread trend of rediscovering past styles during the Second Empire and the Third Republic. Here, 19th-century silversmiths reinterpret, with remarkable technical virtuosity, the lightness of the Regency style and the whimsy of the Louis XV rocaille style. These objects were not merely used to season dishes; they displayed the social status of the host and contributed to the presentation of the bourgeois meal, where the brilliance of the chased silverware was meant to dazzle the guests.
- A dome (cap) richly openworked and chased with friezes of godrons, leaves, and a geometric cutout allowing sugar or spices to pass through. Each dome is topped with a fretel in the shape of a pine nut (or flower bud).
- A central body adorned with latticework motifs and delicate floral cascades, highlighted by an elegant frieze of raised pearls extending onto a plain neck.
- A molded base (pedestal) adorned with a repeat of the beaded frieze, ensuring perfect stability for the entire piece.
The pieces bear hallmarks clearly stamped on the neck of the body and beneath the pedestal (circular hallmarks to be identified; see detailed photos).
Tableware and the Use of Sugar Shakers in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, tableware experienced a golden age and adhered to very strict serving protocols. Sugar shakers, the successors to the large 18th-century sugar bowls, became smaller in size to accommodate new individual uses or small gatherings. Typically presented in pairs, they were arranged on either side of the table or on ornate centerpieces. One was traditionally reserved for fine sugar or cinnamon for desserts, while the other contained ground pepper or rare spices to season meats. The decoration on our pair—alternating between latticework motifs, beaded friezes, and cascading floral patterns—reflects the widespread trend of rediscovering past styles during the Second Empire and the Third Republic. Here, 19th-century silversmiths reinterpret, with remarkable technical virtuosity, the lightness of the Regency style and the whimsy of the Louis XV rocaille style. These objects were not merely used to season dishes; they displayed the social status of the host and contributed to the presentation of the bourgeois meal, where the brilliance of the chased silverware was meant to dazzle the guests.
- Period: 19th century (Regency/Louis XV transitional style).
- Condition: Very good overall condition, beautiful silver patina.
- Material: Silver.
- Dimensions: Height: 11 cm.
380 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Louis 15th - Transition
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Sterling silver
Reference (ID): 1813375
Availability: In stock
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