259
ODIOT À PARIS
A pair of French sterling silver salt cellars, Paris, second half of the 19th century
Height x width x depth: 19 x 18.5 x 10 cm. Weight: 880 g approx.
with an oval base decorated with vegetal motifs, supported by four small feet with leaf and flower motifs. At the top are two small cups, each decorated with a shell, and a central socket in the shape of a stylised flower.
Hallmarked with post 1838 French hallmarks in use in Paris for 950/1000 silver and with the mark of the Maison Odiot symbolized by the letter "O" and an antique lamp.
Each cup is also accompanied by a non-coeval, shell-shaped spoon of Italian origin, hallmarked with the mark "925".
Hallmarked with post 1838 French hallmarks in use in Paris for 950/1000 silver and with the mark of the Maison Odiot symbolized by the letter "O" and an antique lamp.
Each cup is also accompanied by a non-coeval, shell-shaped spoon of Italian origin, hallmarked with the mark "925".
Literature:
A renowned French company celebrated for its exquisite silver and gold creations, the Odiot family has been home to numerous talented craftsmen. The story began in 1690 when Jean-Baptiste-Gaspard Odiot was appointed as the royal court silversmith and became the personal artisan to King Louis XV. However, it was Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot who truly brought the family name global recognition and fame.
Jean-Baptiste-Claude's association with Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his family is particularly notable. Although he was never officially named the emperor's purveyor (a fact that proved advantageous during the Restoration), Odiot took over after the bankruptcy of the previous supplier, Henri Auguste, in 1809. He crafted numerous items for Napoleon, his family, and close associates.
Following Napoleon's fall, the House of Odiot not only retained its elite clientele but also expanded its reach to include royalty and aristocrats across Europe. Prominent clients included Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, Austrian diplomat Prince Clemens von Metternich, King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, King William I of Württemberg, and Prince Regent George IV of England.
Jean-Baptiste-Claude also showcased his work at two World Exhibitions, in 1819 and 1823. Between 1819 and 1835, he generously donated several pieces to the French government, including 30 bronze objects and a silver vase, which were displayed in the Luxembourg Palace (later transferred to the Museum of Decorative Arts). Notably, in 1907-1908, another renowned jeweler, Christofle, silver-plated some of the bronzes donated by Odiot.
In 1827, Jean-Baptiste-Claude retired, passing the business to his son, Charles-Nicolas Odiot. Under Charles-Nicolas's leadership, the company served as purveyor to King Louis Philippe and his family. In 1856, the legacy continued with Charles-Nicolas's son, Jean-Baptiste-Gustave, who became the supplier to the Russian Imperial Court under Alexander II. He also fulfilled the largest commission in the company's history: a solid gold table service comprising 3,000 pieces for Said Pasha, the Viceroy of Egypt. Jean-Baptiste-Gustave officially registered the Odiot brand in 1864, symbolized by the letter "O" and an antique lamp.
Jean-Baptiste-Gustave was the last of the illustrious Odiot dynasty. With no heirs, he established a new company in 1894, Odiot Prévost Récipon et Cie, in partnership with Emile Prévost and Paul-Edouard Récipon. From 1906 to 1956, the firm merged with another prominent silver company, Boulenger, before regaining its independence. Today, Odiot continues to produce exceptional, high-quality silverware, maintaining its legacy as a symbol of craftsmanship and luxury.
A renowned French company celebrated for its exquisite silver and gold creations, the Odiot family has been home to numerous talented craftsmen. The story began in 1690 when Jean-Baptiste-Gaspard Odiot was appointed as the royal court silversmith and became the personal artisan to King Louis XV. However, it was Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot who truly brought the family name global recognition and fame.
Jean-Baptiste-Claude's association with Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his family is particularly notable. Although he was never officially named the emperor's purveyor (a fact that proved advantageous during the Restoration), Odiot took over after the bankruptcy of the previous supplier, Henri Auguste, in 1809. He crafted numerous items for Napoleon, his family, and close associates.
Following Napoleon's fall, the House of Odiot not only retained its elite clientele but also expanded its reach to include royalty and aristocrats across Europe. Prominent clients included Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, Austrian diplomat Prince Clemens von Metternich, King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, King William I of Württemberg, and Prince Regent George IV of England.
Jean-Baptiste-Claude also showcased his work at two World Exhibitions, in 1819 and 1823. Between 1819 and 1835, he generously donated several pieces to the French government, including 30 bronze objects and a silver vase, which were displayed in the Luxembourg Palace (later transferred to the Museum of Decorative Arts). Notably, in 1907-1908, another renowned jeweler, Christofle, silver-plated some of the bronzes donated by Odiot.
In 1827, Jean-Baptiste-Claude retired, passing the business to his son, Charles-Nicolas Odiot. Under Charles-Nicolas's leadership, the company served as purveyor to King Louis Philippe and his family. In 1856, the legacy continued with Charles-Nicolas's son, Jean-Baptiste-Gustave, who became the supplier to the Russian Imperial Court under Alexander II. He also fulfilled the largest commission in the company's history: a solid gold table service comprising 3,000 pieces for Said Pasha, the Viceroy of Egypt. Jean-Baptiste-Gustave officially registered the Odiot brand in 1864, symbolized by the letter "O" and an antique lamp.
Jean-Baptiste-Gustave was the last of the illustrious Odiot dynasty. With no heirs, he established a new company in 1894, Odiot Prévost Récipon et Cie, in partnership with Emile Prévost and Paul-Edouard Récipon. From 1906 to 1956, the firm merged with another prominent silver company, Boulenger, before regaining its independence. Today, Odiot continues to produce exceptional, high-quality silverware, maintaining its legacy as a symbol of craftsmanship and luxury.
Live auction 327
Curiosities from European and Oriental Art
Curiosities from European and Oriental Art
Silvers, Ivories, Corals, Icons and Wunderkammer
Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, tue 25 February 2025
FIRST SESSION
25/02/2025 Hours 12:00 pm
Lots 1/167
SECOND SESSION
25/02/2025 Hours 04:00 pm
Lots 168/346