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Silver Gilt Tea Fountain by Odiot
- Few silversmiths in history rival the prestige of Maison Odiot
- This monumental silver-gilt tea fountain stands among the most ambitious works of the legendary firm
- Executed entirely in sumptuous vermeil, the surface is alive with chased foliage in high relief
- The model is known in Odiot’s archives as the feuillages pattern
- Get complete item description here
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Maison Odiot
Late 19th century
Few silversmiths in history rival the prestige of Maison Odiot, and this monumental silver-gilt tea fountain stands among the most ambitious works ever produced by the legendary Parisian firm. Created in the late 19th century, this exceptional fontaine à thé represents the pinnacle of Odiot’s naturalistic production—so rare and important that closely related examples are held today in the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum, with another variant. . .
Maison Odiot
Late 19th century
Few silversmiths in history rival the prestige of Maison Odiot, and this monumental silver-gilt tea fountain stands among the most ambitious works ever produced by the legendary Parisian firm. Created in the late 19th century, this exceptional fontaine à thé represents the pinnacle of Odiot’s naturalistic production—so rare and important that closely related examples are held today in the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum, with another variant in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Executed entirely in sumptuous vermeil, the surface is alive with exquisitely chased foliage in high relief. Flowing branches entwine organically to form both the dramatic arched handle above and the sculptural framework below, transforming the functional object into a tour de force of sculptural design. Every element reflects a reverence for nature rendered through extraordinary technical mastery, a hallmark of Odiot’s most elite commissions. The masterpiece is accompanied by its Mark Willis & Son electroplate burner.
The model, known in Odiot’s archives as the feuillages (foliage) pattern, was the most elaborate work within a grand botanical service. Original drawings preserved in the firm’s design albums confirm its status as the centerpiece of the ensemble. An identical example once adorned the House of Savoy at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, while Odiot himself retained another, which he exhibited at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris and which was later documented by Henri Bouilhet in his definitive study of French silversmithing.
Founded in the late 17th century, Maison Odiot rose to international renown as silversmith to Napoleon Bonaparte and King Louis XVIII. The firm’s creations defined imperial luxury, uniting flawless craftsmanship with inventive design. Objects of this complexity, provenance, and institutional importance are extraordinarily rare, making this tea fountain a museum-caliber survival of France’s golden age of silver.
20 1/2" high x 7 1/2" wide x 9" deep
| Maker: | Odiot |
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Tea & Coffee Pots/Services |
| Depth: | 9.0 in. (22.86 cm) |
| Width: | 7.5 in. (19.05 cm) |
| Height: | 20.5 in. (52.07 cm) |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
