Ask About | Book Appointment - Antique French Crystal & Silver Gilt Carafe

Antique vermeil (silver-gilt) 950 Fine Silver and crystal carafe, French late 19th century.

The bulbous crystal body is vertically fluted, mounted top and bottom with gilded silver mounts.  The mounts feature three bands of ribbon bound reeds at the top, middle and base, with a highly detailed acanthus leaf design at the pedestal base.  

 Both sections of silver have the French standard mark for 950 Fine Silver (the Goddess Minerva with the number 1 at her forehead in an octagonal shield), and the makers mark.  The silversmith is Joseph Alexandre Martell, in business circa 1888-1914.  His trademark is two stars, over two hammers, over his initials J.M in a horizontal lozenge.

The carafe is in remarkably good condition with very little wear to the gilding.

7 1/2” (19cm) high, 4” (10.2cm) diameter at the widest.

$2200.

* The ribbon, or rope bound reed motif is an iconic French design, popular in the 19th century and originating in ancient Egyptian architecture.