Empire Period Silver Confiturier and its 12 Spoons by Léonard CHATENET

Important Empire period confiturier in solid silver by the Parisian silversmith Léonard CHATENET, whose first mark is registered in 1807.

The circular body displays a finely pierced decoration of confronted winged horses framing lyres resting on lion paw feet, beneath an elegant openwork frieze of palmettes and acanthus leaves. The whole is emphasised by a finely chased base of laurel garlands bordered by beaded bands, in a decorative vocabulary characteristic of the Parisian neoclassical repertoire.

It stands on a pedestal foot with a gadrooned ring, above a circular stand designed to hold the spoons, adorned with a frieze of scrolls and stylised flowers on a delicately matted ground. Three winged sphinxes support the ensemble, giving it strong sculptural presence.

The lateral handles, with scrolling terminals, are enriched with palmettes and small floral motifs.

The lid, bordered with a frieze of water leaves, is surmounted by a finely modelled finial in the form of a child dressed as a Pierrot, balancing on one foot and holding a marotte.

The piece retains its original blue glass liner.

It is accompanied by twelve plain silver spoons, nine by Léonard CHATENET and three of the same model by HENIN.

This particularly complete and richly ornamented model illustrates a refined luxury production from the early years of 19th century Parisian silver.

HALLMARKS
On lid, body and base:
• Paris, 1st standard, rooster mark
• Paris guarantee mark
• Association of silversmiths mark (letter P)
• Maker’s mark: LC with a cat for Léonard CHATENET, 1807

Spoons (9):
• Paris, 1st standard, rooster mark
• Paris guarantee mark
• Association of silversmiths mark (letter P)
• Maker’s mark: LC with a caduceus for Léonard CHATENET, 1811

Spoons (3):
• Minerva, 1st standard
• HENIN & Cie, ship and star mark

WEIGHT
Net weight: 1030.9 g

CONDITION
Very good condition.
A discreet conservation restoration to the rim of the glass liner, not visible in display.


LÉONARD CHATENET

Parisian silversmith, Léonard CHATENET registers his first maker’s mark (LC with a cat) on 21 January 1807. He is established at 6 rue Sainte-Anne and specialises in flatware and table silver.

He takes over the workshop of Jean TOULON in 1811 and registers a new mark featuring a caduceus, re-registered in 1818. He later moves to 10 cour de Harlay.

His mark is struck off following his death on 1 December 1830, after which his widow registers her own mark.

His activity belongs to the early decades of the 19th century, a period marked by a return to a rigorous neoclassical vocabulary.


MUSEUMS

• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Knife with Rosette and Crest, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, M.78.154.68a.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Fiddle and Bead Style Fork, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, inv. M.78.154.68b.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Fiddle and Bead Style Fork, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, inv. M.78.154.68c.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Knife with Rosette and Crest, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, M.78.154.69a.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Fiddle and Bead Style Fork, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, inv. M.78.154.69b.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Fiddle and Bead Style Fork, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, inv. M.78.154.69c.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Set of Flatware, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, inv. M.78.154.68a-c.
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART, LOS ANGELES, CHATENET Léonard, Set of Flatware, argent, Paris, 1819-1830, inv. M.78.154.69a-c.
• COLLECTION PRIVÉE, MAZÉ-MILON, CHATENET Léonard, Pot à oille, armoiries famille de Contades, argent, Paris, 1809-1811, inscrit Monument Historique LE 31 décembre 2008.