Paris 1819-1838 – Silver-gilt sugar tongs by P.-N. BLAQUIÈRE, Vieillard hallmark

Superb sugar tongs in solid silver (first standard) plated with fine gold. The body is decorated with a strong band, and the tongs are ovoid, also known as olive-shaped. The end bears the monogram PLB engraved in English script.

Hallmarks
• Old man (first standard)
• Paris Guarantee
• Maker's mark: PNB and three swallows for Pierre-Noël BLAQUIÈRE (registered in 1803).

Dimensions
• Length: 13.7 cm
• Width: 1.9 cm
• Opening: 3.1 cm

Net weight: 46 grams

Condition report
Very good condition, with a few fine scratches consistent with age, but no wear to the gilt, dents, deformations, or restorations to report.

The superb state of preservation of these sugar tongs, whose purity of design is matched only by the quality of their finish, their substantial weight, and the superb condition of the original gilt, make them a beautiful collector's item as well as an elegant table ornament.

Considering the work of Pierre-Noël Blaquière, a specialist in fittings for travel cases, it is reasonable to assume that this piece adorned one of the luxurious travel cases produced by the goldsmith.

PIERRE-NOËL BLAQUIÈRE
Paris, circa 1781 – July 5, 1849

Pierre-Noël Blaquière was a goldsmith and furniture maker, located at 174 rue Saint-Honoré. Specializing in travel cases and mounted objects, he supplied an exceptional clientele with high-end luxury items. From May 1811, Blaquière worked for the Sèvres Manufactory, crafting handles and mounts for various porcelain pieces. He also created the silver-gilt mounts for the Duke of Berry's wedding casket and supplied pieces to the goldsmith Odiot.

Between 1818 and 1822, he was commissioned by the Sèvres Manufactory to employ a very particular technique: setting crystal cameos, created using a process invented by the Chevalier Boudon de Saint-Amand, or cabochons of cut gemstones, into porcelain. This technique appears to have been applied for the first time to a cup presented by King Louis XVIII on the occasion of the birth of Marie-Amélie of Bourbon-Sicily in 1818. It was at this time that he established himself at 123 rue Saint-Honoré, in the Hôtel d'Aligre.

A service known as the "water glass" is preserved at the Louvre Museum, demonstrating his unique skill as a gem-setter as well as the incredible luxury of his commissions. With this service, he created the only known example of the inclusion of cut semi-precious stones in crystal, set within a gilt silver band with a grained finish, inspired by fine jewelry.

He created or supplied pieces for numerous dressing cases, the few surviving examples of which illustrate their prestige: the dressing case of Hortense de Maire, the dressing case of Amy Brown, the toiletry set of Countess Branicka, the travel set of Charles Stuart, first Baron Stuart of Rothesay, the traveling dressing case of Josephine-Ludmille d'Otrante, daughter of the Duke of Otrante, and the Württemberg family.

1. OSENAT Paris, Autographs & Manuscripts, Sculptures, Boxes, Miniatures and Seals, Lot 208: General Caulaincourt, Grand Equerry to the Emperor, Large Officer's Travel Case, 1798-1809. Est. €6,000 - €8,000, result €13,000.

2. A process of embedding glass paste in crystal to create cameos. See, in this regard, the pair of vases known as "Thericlean" vases in the National Ceramics Museum of Sèvres.

3. In the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.

4. In the collection of the Fondation Napoléon.

5. Fragonard Perfume Museum, Paris.

6. Wilanów Palace, Warsaw.

7 LEMPERTZ Cologne - The Exceptional Bernard De Leye Collection, July 15, 2021, lot 218: A silver-gilt travel lavabo set made for Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay. Est. €15,000–20,000, result: €18,750.

8 BEAUSSANT-LEFEBVRE Paris - Drawings, prints and paintings, souvenirs of Emperor Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, the Prince Imperial and the Imperial Family, and souvenirs of General de Gaulle, lot 154: Catherine of Württemberg, cut crystal creamer, the mount in 950/1000 vermeil engraved with the monogram “C” surmounted by an imperial crown. Est. €150–200, result: €220.

MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

• LOUVRE MUSEUM, Paris – Water glass service, crystal, silver, opals, amethysts, and aquamarines by Pierre-Noël Blaquière. Paris, circa 1820. Inv. OA 11272 to 11276.
• LOUVRE MUSEUM, Paris – Flask, gilt silver, red leather, and glass by Pierre-Noël Blaquière. Paris, circa 1819–1837. Provenance: formerly in the Louis-Victor Puiforcat collection.

• CHAMEROLLES CASTLE, Chilleurs-aux-Bois – Lady's travel set, maple burl, brass, velvet, leather, silk, vermeil, ebony, mother-of-pearl, crystal, steel, and porcelain by Pierre-Noël Blaquière and Pierre Leplain. Paris, first quarter of the 19th century.

• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, New York (USA) – Breakfast Service, porcelain, gilt silver, handles attributed to Pierre-Noël Blaquière. Paris, 1813. Presented by Nap

Ref: 2AKZIFIQ42