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Double spice-box
Antoine Filassier (French, master in 1720, died in 1764)
France (Paris)
1723–24
Object Place: Europe, Paris, France
Medium/Technique
Metal; silver
Dimensions
6.8 x 7.5 x 11.7 cm (2 11/16 x 2 15/16 x 4 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. Collection
Accession Number1993.299.2a-b
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionOne of a pair of double spice-boxes. Of elongated octagonal form with a molded baluster shaped body. It rests on four applied scroll feet with the upper part of each formed as a shell, each chased with a pattern. The interior is divided into three compartments with two hinged covers, and a central compartment for a nutmeg grater. Each hinged cover has a gadrooned rim followed by molding and an engraved crest. The cover of the central compartment has a gadrooned rim and a domed molded center with a ball finial resting on gadrooning.
Marks
Maker's Mark: a crowned fleur-de-lis, two grains, AF, a narcissus (Nocq) - underside the two lids and partial marks visible on feet.
Warden's mark: a crowned G for Paris 1723-1724 (Bimbenet,1995, p.113) - under base.
Charge Mark: crowned A with interlaced L for Paris 1722-1726 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.112) - under base.
Discharge Mark (for unmounted dish) : a rayed sun for Paris 1722-1726 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.112) - inside one compartment.
Discharge mark (for small work): a dove of the Holy Spirit - on the inside part of the oval lid.
Other marks:
- Countermark: a crowned bell for Paris 1726-1732 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.116)- inside one compartment.
- countermark: a crowned shell, for Paris 1732-1738 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.120) - inside one compartment.
- countermark: a lizard for Paris 1738-1744 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.124) - inside one compartment.
Unknown marks:
- a crown - on the gadroon of the large compartment of only one of the spice boxes.
- unknown mark - on the bottom od the divided compartment of one of the two spice boxes.
- a T shape mark
Warden's mark: a crowned G for Paris 1723-1724 (Bimbenet,1995, p.113) - under base.
Charge Mark: crowned A with interlaced L for Paris 1722-1726 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.112) - under base.
Discharge Mark (for unmounted dish) : a rayed sun for Paris 1722-1726 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.112) - inside one compartment.
Discharge mark (for small work): a dove of the Holy Spirit - on the inside part of the oval lid.
Other marks:
- Countermark: a crowned bell for Paris 1726-1732 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.116)- inside one compartment.
- countermark: a crowned shell, for Paris 1732-1738 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.120) - inside one compartment.
- countermark: a lizard for Paris 1738-1744 (Bimbenet, 1995, p.124) - inside one compartment.
Unknown marks:
- a crown - on the gadroon of the large compartment of only one of the spice boxes.
- unknown mark - on the bottom od the divided compartment of one of the two spice boxes.
- a T shape mark
InscriptionsCoat of arms of the Family de Bonlieu, from Languedoc.
Provenance1875, Paul Eudel, Paris; 1928, Comtesse de Behague, Paris. 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. to the MFA.