Exceptional flatware in sterling silver by Maison Odiot, 19th century
Flatware in solid silver from the house of Odiot, goldsmith founded under Louis XV. The canteen is housed in an oak box from the Odiot house, topped by a brass plate engraved with the leafy monogram "AR" and a crown. The interior in red velvet presents five superimposed trays. The handles are decorated with foliated fillets ending in a shell, the spatulas are fiddled and all the pieces are monogrammed "AR" under a crown with five pearls. By family tradition the numbers are said to be those of the Rothschilds. All the cutlery has the edge engraved "Odiot". The hallmark on this canteen in silver (oil lamp topped by an O) is that of the Master Odiot, and corresponds to that inscribed in 1865 and then crossed out in 1894. Minerve: 950 thousandths.
This remarkable silver flatware set comprises 176 pieces:
- an asparagus tong
- a ladle
- a silver vermeil serving fork
- a silver vermeil serving spoon
- a cream spoon
- a sprinkling spoon
- an ice cream scoop
- an ice cream scoop
- eleven small spoons
- twenty-two small knives with steel blades engraved Odiot
- twelve dessert spoons
- one sugar tong
- twelve dessert spoons
- one bread fork
- one fish knife
- one soup spoon
- forty-eight large knives with steel blades engraved Odiot
- forty-eight forks
- eleven large spoons
Weight of all-silver pieces 8.9 kg
Total weight of pieces: 15.5 kg
The Odiot house
Founded in 1690, Maison Odiot gained notoriety during the reign of Louis XV thanks to Jean Baptiste Gaspard Odiot, recognized as one of the finest silversmiths of his time. He went on to become one of the most prestigious silversmiths of the 18th century, becoming a royal supplier. Later, the Empire and its splendors opened a page of glory for Odiot, under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Claude, grandson of Jean Baptiste Gaspard, who saw his work rewarded by numerous prestigious commissions from the Emperor and his family: the sceptre and sword of the coronation, the King of Rome's cradle, Pauline Borghese's service, the Emperor's campaign service. The models produced by Odiot during this period are marked by a return to antiquity and the frequent use of vermeil. Odiot's reputation spread beyond the borders of the Empire, opening the doors to all the courts of Europe. After supplying King Louis-Philippe, Maison Odiot received its most important order from the Viceroy of Egypt, Saïd Pacha: three thousand pieces of gold flatware. Odiot was also awarded the title of Supplier to the Court of His Imperial Majesty the Tsar. Odiot has maintained an exceptional level of expertise, based on a collection built up over the centuries through prestigious orders.
Circa: 1865
Dim: W: 53cm, D: 32cm, H: 25,5cm.
Dim: W: 20,9in, D: 12,6in, H: 10in.
Condition report: Very good overall condition. Missing 1 soup spoon, 2 small knives and 1 small spoon.
