Labat And Pugibet, Solid Silver And Cut Crystal Decanter, Paris, 1877–1897

A pitcher-shaped decanter made of cut crystal, with a 950/1000 sterling silver mount by LABAT and PUGIBET.

The pear-shaped body is cut with twisted ribs. The neck mount, decorated with a rocaille pattern of flowers, foliage, and scrolls, extends onto the shoulder. The sinuous handle with leaf-shaped volutes echoes the spout, which is closed by a hinged spout cap featuring a leaf-shaped knob. The interior is vermeil. The body rests on a circular, molded silver foot surmounted by a border of cut-out foliage.

Hallmarks:

· Minerva 1^st fineness.

· Silversmith: L&P, a cobbler’s awl for Labat and Pugibet.

Dimensions:

· Height: 20 cm.

· Width: 11 cm.

· Diameter: 10 cm.

Gross weight: 485.1 g


Condition report:
Very good overall condition. Some traces of surface oxidation on the silver mount, visible in the photographs and removable with cleaning.

A pair of ewers by LABAT and PUGIBET, made of cut crystal with twisted ribs and silver mounts, whose rocaille decoration is similar to that of this carafe, was offered at ARTCURIAL in Paris (auction no. 2351, lot 20, est. 3,000–4,000€, result 7,794 €).

LABAT and PUGIBET

As successors to their uncle Joseph ADOUE, LABAT and PUGIBET had their master’s hallmark engraved on November 29, 1877. The firm is documented in Paris at 84 Rue Quincampoix and 43 Rue de Montmorency. Its production included cutlery, small tableware, and silver settings for glassware and crystal.  Their hallmark appears on settings for crystal pieces, notably from BACCARAT, as well as on those from glassware signed DAUM Nancy^[1].

LABAT and PUGIBET were among the suppliers to L’Escalier de Cristal, one of the leading Parisian luxury houses at the end of the 19th century, renowned for its Japanese-inspired designs. For this prestigious house, they produced, among other things, a remarkable set of six fruit knives with vermeil blades and partially gilded bronze handles, in the style of Japanese kozuka^[2], as well as pieces with engraved designs alternating between silver and vermeil. Their production also included Neo-Renaissance and Rococo-style models, always of the highest quality.

The partnership’s hallmark was struck on January 19, 1897. On the same day, François LABAT had his own hallmark engraved at 43 Rue de Montmorency. He retained the shoemaker’s awl between his initials F and L. This hallmark was struck on January 23, 1920.

<sup>[1] ADER, December 11, 2020, lot 15: Glass “Asteraceae” cookie jar signed DAUM Nancy, with a vermeil mount.
HdV de BAYEUX, March 31, 2024, F. Collection—Exceptional Silverwork from the 18th to the 20th Century, lot 86: LABAT & PUGIBET (1877–1897) Multi-layered frosted glass soliflore with an iris design featuring gilded veins, signed in gold DAUM Nancy. The silver pedestal is decorated with waves.

[2] ALLAN D., 19th-Century French Tableware and Cutlery, Faton, 2007, p. 74.</sup>