Silver, Continental
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1700-1719
Spoon with both sides of the handle set with tortoiseshell panels inlaid in gold with a design of scroll-work and leaves in the manner of Berain, engraved rat’s tail on under side of bowl.
Both sides of the handle are set with tortoiseshell panels inlaid with gold strips (a technique called piqué posé) and with tiny gold pins (called piqué point). The elegant design of scroll-work and leaves appear to be inspired by ornament prints by the French designer and engraver Jean Berain (about 1640-1711). P. Verlet has suggested that the technique used on these objects preceded the vogue for pique under the Regence, and suggests that its use in goldsmiths' work may have been due to the influence of Boulle.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Height 1.90 cm; Length 16.50 cm; Width 3.60 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Silver-gilt, tortoiseshell and gold
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- France
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O91516
- Museum object number
- 441-1873
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.