8 Plates With Rothschild Arms, Paris 1817-1819, G.a.bompart , 950 % Sterling Silver

Extremely rare series of eight dinner plates bearing the Rothschild arms as granted by the Emperor of Austria in 1817 to the five Rothschild brothers. In 1822 the emperor granted them the title of baron with the enhancement of the coat of arms as we know them today. These plates most likely belonged to the first Baron de Rothschild of the French branch, Jakob, known as James de Rotschild who was the youngest of this legendary brotherhood of five. He arrived in France during the Empire to represent the interests of his brother Nathaniel, founding father of the English branch. After a stay in the city of Gravelines, he settled in rue d'Artois in Paris which later became rue Lafite. Its mansion will be for more than a century the headquarters of this illustrious dynasty of French bankers and industrialists. Having become the richest man in France, he will, among other buildings, build the fabulous Château de Ferrières, a temple in the Rothschild style. Like many of these early brothers and nephews, he married one of his own nieces so as not to disseminate the family fortune. With this niece Betty de Rothschild, he is at the origin of the French branch of the barons of Rothschild. The plates bear the rooster guarantee mark for Paris 18109-1819 and the master silversmith mark of Gabriel André Bompart, renowned silversmith. The combination of the first coat of arms with the guarantee hallmark allows us to date them very exactly between 1817 and 1819. Their weight is 6500 grams.