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Covered ewer
Marked by: Louis Samson II (active in Toulouse, 1710–1781)
French (Toulouse)
1763
Object Place: Europe, Toulouse, France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver
Dimensions
26.6 x 18.3 x 12.3 cm (10 1/2 x 7 3/16 x 4 13/16 in.); Weight 33 oz.
Credit Line
Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.254
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionSpirally-fluted covered pear-shaped body on shaped circular foot with scrolling leaf decoration. Repousse garlands of flowers on either side of the body. Chased coat of arms within a repousse rococco cartouche on the front of the body. Acanthus leaf applied below the spout. Top of cover decorated with two overlapping leaves, a scrolling leaf forms the thumbpiece. Large scroll foliage handle with chased leaf decoration.
Marks
Maker's mark: an L between two grains SAM/SON, three roses below
Warden's mark: TOL, a fleur-de-lis below, and I between two grains (1763)
Charge: a slower in a shield, with a crown above- mark for large works, 1760-1768
Discharge: three heraldic ermines in a shield, a crown above-mark for 1760-1768
All four marks are on the underside of the body of the ewer.
Warden's mark: TOL, a fleur-de-lis below, and I between two grains (1763)
Charge: a slower in a shield, with a crown above- mark for large works, 1760-1768
Discharge: three heraldic ermines in a shield, a crown above-mark for 1760-1768
All four marks are on the underside of the body of the ewer.
ProvenanceMade for the Marquis de Sassenage, Grenoble [see note 1]. Before 1950, from an "English Noble Family" [see note 2]; by 1950, in Geneva [see note 3]; 1950, with A. & R. Ball, New York; 1950, purchased from or through A. & R. Ball by Elizabeth Parke Firestone (1897-1990) and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (1898-1973), Akron, OH and Newport, RI; 1993, gift of the Estate of Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (Accession date: May 26, 1993)
NOTES:
[1] Arms engraved on ewer. [2] See letter from Arthur Ball, November 10, 1950, copy in MFA curatorial file. [3] See letter from Arthur Ball, November 10th, 1950, to Mrs. Firestone, which states that he examined the ewer in Geneva.
NOTES:
[1] Arms engraved on ewer. [2] See letter from Arthur Ball, November 10, 1950, copy in MFA curatorial file. [3] See letter from Arthur Ball, November 10th, 1950, to Mrs. Firestone, which states that he examined the ewer in Geneva.