Solid Silver Sauceboat, Louis XV Rocaille Style – 19th Century

A large Louis XV-style solid silver sauce boat, accompanied by its removable silver-plated liner, a work of French silversmithing from the second half of the 19th century.

Featuring a particularly elegant and dynamic design, this sauce boat has a widely flared body adorned with deep, twisted ribs in relief, whose movement harmoniously accentuates the piece’s curves.

The upper section is embellished with a scalloped border featuring gadroons and foliage motifs, while two richly chased side handles—formed of scrollwork and acanthus leaves in the Rocaille style—complete this composition.

The body rests on a molded pedestal, accented by a finely crafted radiating design, which in turn is mounted on an oval base with undulating contours. The base features a wide border decorated with ribs and gadroons, elegantly echoing the motifs of the sauceboat.

The ensemble forms a particularly harmonious composition, in which the various decorative elements complement one another with great balance.

The sauceboat retains its removable silver-plated inner liner, perfectly adapted to the shape of the body, allowing it to be used while preserving the solid silver interior.

This piece stands out for the quality of its craftsmanship, the depth and precision of its reliefs, and its well-balanced proportions. It attests to the skill of 19th-century French silversmiths and their interpretation of the Louis XV decorative repertoire.

Hallmarks: Minerva hallmark and an unidentified master silversmith’s mark.

Period: second half of the 19th century, circa 1860–1890.

Condition: overall in fine condition, with an antique patina, slight scratches, and signs of wear consistent with its age.

Net weight of solid silver: 758 grams, excluding the removable silver-plated lining.

Shipping: 18 euros within France, 35 euros within the EU, and 100 euros to the rest of the world.