César Tonnelier - Sterling Silver Hammered & Vermeil Cup With Dragonfly And Beetle Design

Master Goldsmith
César Tonnelier
(C.T., a plowshare, a feather)
Stamped in May 1845
Struck through in January 1882

French hallmark: Head of Minerva, 1st Title. (950/1000)

Rare solid silver coffee cup and saucer, by César Tonnelier, active in Paris from 1845 to 1882.

With a simple shape, the set is entirely hammered and adornedwith a delicate naturalistic design inspired by Japanese art, composedof finely chased flowers, foliage, dragonflies, and beetles.

The handle, adorned with a flowering bindweed, complements thisexquisitely delicate design. The interior of the cup and the small saucer retain their original vermeilfinish. (Some raised elements have retained traces of vermeil highlighting).
A remarkable piece reflecting the naturalistic inspiration of this period and executed with great mastery.
This silversmith, remarkable for the variety and high quality of his work, also produced religious silverware (available for viewing on the Ministry of Culture’s website)