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Sponge box on circular base
Probably by: François Corbie (French, master 1777, died after 1793)
French (Paris)
1781
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver
Dimensions
Overall: 5.6 cm, 2.15 oz. (2 3/16 in., 0.13 lb.)
Other (Overall): 5.4cm (2 1/8in.)
Other (Overall): 5.4cm (2 1/8in.)
Credit Line
Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.267
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionSmall sponge box with spherical body on molded circular foot. Base plain with a band of pierced alternating circles and ovals, and a molded rim. Hinged cover has a molded rim and a shaped applied thumbpiece. The cover is pierced with floral motifs and scrolling foliage, and has two concentric reeded bands encircling the top.
Marks
Maker's Mark: a crowned fleur-de-lis, two grains, FCB, probably an ear of corn, making it by Corbie (Nocq, p.296).
Warden's Mark: 1780-1781: a crowned R (Dennis, 20).
Charge Mark: 1781-1783 for medium-sized work: interlaced foliate L's (Dennis, 19). Discharge Mark: 1781-1783 for small work: a cherub's head (Dennis, 84). Other: guarantee mark used after 1838 for medium-sized works: a small boar's head (Tardy, p.173).
Location of marks: maker's on underside of bowl, inside lid, center; warden's on underside of bowl, inside lid, center; charge on underside of bowl, inside lid, center; discharge on outside of foot, outside lid
Warden's Mark: 1780-1781: a crowned R (Dennis, 20).
Charge Mark: 1781-1783 for medium-sized work: interlaced foliate L's (Dennis, 19). Discharge Mark: 1781-1783 for small work: a cherub's head (Dennis, 84). Other: guarantee mark used after 1838 for medium-sized works: a small boar's head (Tardy, p.173).
Location of marks: maker's on underside of bowl, inside lid, center; warden's on underside of bowl, inside lid, center; charge on underside of bowl, inside lid, center; discharge on outside of foot, outside lid
Provenance1926, Edmond Guérin, Paris [see note 1]. May 16, 1952, sold by Au Vieux Paris (gallery), Paris, to Elizabeth Parke Firestone (b. 1897 - d. 1990) and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. (b. 1898 - d. 1973), Akron, OH and Newport, RI; 1993, gift of the estate of Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. to the MFA. (Accession Date: May 26, 1993)
Notes:
[1] He lent this to the Exposition d'Orfèvrerie Française Civile du XVIe siècle au début du XIXe (Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, April 12- May 12, 1926), cat. no. 389.
Notes:
[1] He lent this to the Exposition d'Orfèvrerie Française Civile du XVIe siècle au début du XIXe (Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, April 12- May 12, 1926), cat. no. 389.