Large Chocolate Pot — Silversmith Ange René Rouvière — Avignon, Ca. 1760

Large chocolate pot
Solid silver
Side handle in blackened wood
Silversmith Ange René Rouvière, admitted as a master in 1750
Avignon, circa 1760
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H 26 cm
923 g net
In very fine condition
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Hallmarks
The hallmarks are partially worn but remain identifiable
• City hallmark for Avignon (crowned “A,” two grains)
• Master’s mark (R under a crown, one heart) [Cassan 1984, p. 48]
The master’s hallmark is struck twice, as was customary. Rouvière’s hallmark features a small imperfection on the central prong of the crown, a detail also found on more finely engraved hallmarks (see private website for more detailed photos)
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Ange René Rouvière is known for the quality of his pieces.
This model, common in the North, is, however, extremely rare in Avignon. In his book, Cassan illustrates a plain silver pitcher by Rouvière that exhibits all the characteristics of our piece, in the design of the spout, the feet, and the molding on the handle [Cassan 1984, p. 49].
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Bibliography
• Claude Gérard Cassan, The Silversmiths of Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin, excerpt from the journal *Art et Curiosité* nos. 93 and 94, Vincennes 1984
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Bastien Lancelot for his invaluable assistance in identifying these hallmarks!