French Second Empire Style Repoussé 800-950 Silver Beaker or Tumbler
Hollowware (Beaker/Tumbler Cup) · Unknown French or Continental silversmith. The piece displays characteristic traits of a mid-to-late 19th-century workshop, likely based in Paris or a major regional center, following the traditions of fine French hollowware production.
Pattern: Rococo Revival / Neo-Classical Repoussé; standard production pattern featuring embossed lobed panels and foliate scrolls.
Type
Hollowware (Beaker/Tumbler Cup)
Maker
Unknown French or Continental silversmith. The piece displays characteristic traits of a mid-to-late 19th-century workshop, likely based in Paris or a major regional center, following the traditions of fine French hollowware production.
Material
Likely French Silver (800/1000 or 950/1000 purity). Continental silver composition, distinct from British Sterling, often featuring slightly lower or higher silver content depending on the assay standard in use.
Dimensions
Estimated height: 8-10 cm (3-4 inches); Diameter: 6-7 cm; Weight: approximately 80-120 grams (2.5 - 3.8 troy oz).
Description
An elegant French silver beaker featuring a sophisticated interplay of textures. The lower half is adorned with high-relief repoussé lobes, a hallmark of 19th-century dining luxury. The form tapers slightly toward the base, finished with a delicate geometric border. This type of cup was a standard baptismal or personal gift in upper-class French society.
Key Features
Lobed repoussé panels, roulette-engraved border, flat bottom with centered maker's mark, and hand-planished surface quality.
Material & Composition
Likely French Silver (800/1000 or 950/1000 purity). Continental silver composition, distinct from British Sterling, often featuring slightly lower or higher silver content depending on the assay standard in use.
Finish & Decoration
Hand-chased and repoussé decoration with lobed panels, floral motifs, and a fine 'engrailed' or roulette-engraved zig-zag border near the base. Polished exterior with natural interior tarnish.
Hallmarks & Stamps
A single small rectangular or lozenge-shaped stamp is visible on the underside. This appears to be a silversmith's maker's mark (poinçon de fabricant) or a small-work guarantee mark. Absence of a Minerva head implies it may be a provincial piece or the mark is worn.
Construction Details
Raised and spun construction. The body shows evidence of hand-hammering (planishing) to thin the walls, with secondary repoussé work pushed from the inside out to create the decorative relief.
Functional Features
Tapered cylindrical form designed for drinking. The foot is slightly flared to provide stability for the top-heavy design.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - Handleless tumbler design. The surface texture provided by the repoussé work serves as a functional grip.
Craftsmanship Details
High quality hand-work. The transition between the smooth upper section and the embossed lower section shows skilled control of the silver's ductility during the hammering process.
Authentication Indicators
The single mark on the base is typical for smaller French hollowware where large hallmarks might distort the vessel. The construction method (raising and chasing) is consistent with 19th-century artisanal standards.
Origin & Manufacturing
Originating in France (likely Paris or Lyon). Constructed using traditional European silversmithing methods involving hand-raising from a flat silver disc.
Era & Period
Second Empire / Napoleon III Era (c. 1850-1870). The style combines Rococo flourishes with the structured proportions typical of the mid-Victorian Continental period.
Age Estimate
Circa 1860-1880. Stylistic indicators and the specific type of roulette border engraving were very common in French silver production during the mid-to-late 19th century.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 19th-century European aspiration for domestic luxury and the formalization of personal dining implements as a mark of social status.
Condition Notes
Good antique condition. Visible surface scratches (swirl marks) on the base from use. Minor indentations consistent with age. Patina consistent with silver; no evidence of major repair or structural cracks.
Value Estimate
$200 - $450 USD. Value is driven by the silver weight and the quality of the hand-chasing rather than a specific famous maker's name.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a high-quality cream like Wright's Silver Cream. Avoid dips which can strip the hand-chased detail. Store in a soft cotton bag to prevent scratching on the flat base.
Similar Pieces
Christofle Silver-plate Beakers (usually heavier and marked 'Metal Blanc'); German 800 Silver lobed cups (usually featuring more pointed neo-gothic elements).
Interesting Facts
In 19th-century France, such beakers were often given as 'Timbale de Mariage' or 'Timbale de Baptême' (Wedding or Baptismal Beakers), intended to be a lifelong personal heirloom for the recipient.