Antique oil and vinegar cruet in solid silver and crystal, late 18th century

An antique silver-plated oil and vinegar set in the Directoire/Consulate style. It features a rectangular tray bordered with openwork lanceolate motifs, supported by claw feet surmounted by lion's heads. The body and ampoule holders are richly decorated with caryatids, and the handle is adorned with fruit. Accompanied by two cut crystal cruets with diamond-pointed edges and their pointed stoppers. It bears the Revolutionary hallmark "Head of a Greek Woman" with the letter P (1793-1794), and the silversmith's mark AM for Ambroise Mignerot (who worked in Paris between 1800 and 1818). It also bears the Paris "Average Guaranteed" hallmark (1809-1819) with a head of Minerva facing right. Weight: 596 grams. Condition: In very good condition, with some stains on the handles and crystal stoppers and minor scratches on the silver. Documentation: This oil and vinegar set is unique in that it bears several hallmarks dating from the French Revolution and the First Empire. Indeed, it sometimes happens that silverware from the Empire, and even the Restoration, bears hallmarks used during the Revolution. Thus, the head of an old man, the rooster, or, as in this case, the head of Minerva, can appear on the same piece alongside the head of a Greek woman or the head of a bear. This can be explained by the abolition of controls on precious metals (hallmarking and oversight rights) at the end of the 18th century. Since the right of oversight had been abolished in 1791, silverware hallmarked during the Revolutionary period was not subject to any tax and had to be returned later to the Mint so that it could be stamped with the hallmarks and guarantee marks used between 1798 and 1838. Bibliography: Serge Grandjean, "L'orfèvrerie du XIXe siècle en Europe" (19th-Century Goldsmithing in Europe), Paris, Presses universitaires de France, 1962, pp. 140-143; Yves Markezana, "Les poinçons français d'or, d'argent, de platine de 1275 à nos jours" (French Gold, Silver, and Platinum Hallmarks from 1275 to the Present Day), Éditions Vial, pp. 92-93. 18th century, Circa: 1794. Dimensions: L: 21cm, W: 11cm, H: 33cm.