Massive exquisite antique French sterling silver samovar bearing the punch of Louis Aucoc. Louis Aucoc assumed leadership of this renowned firm in 1870. Clients over the years included the Emperor, Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie, King Louis Phillipe, the House of Orleans, and the Queen of Great Britain. The impressive samovar offered here boasts the royal arms and crown of a French Count. This piece has utterly exquisite details. The body of the pot is guilloche decorated, the handle, spout and lid enhanced with elegant Gordion Knot pattern. The lid topped with a superb finial; a blossom atop a spray of leafs, berries and acorns. The Coat of Arms also bears three acorns; so the finial cleverly mirrors the Count's Armorial. The stand is elaborately chased to resemble wooden branches; a Trompe-L'Oeil masterpiece. Also chased in this fashion are the arms extending from the near bottom of the pot which rest in the stand. Even the heating device is crafted of .950 sterling silver! A magnificent and important piece. Please note: a three piece matching tea set will be listed separately. Oh, and of course the monumental Cardeilhac tray is not included in this sale; although if you view the tray listing, it will help you get a sense of how very large this samovar is ;)
Dimensions: The pot is 12.5" long, 8.5" diameter, 10.5" tall with handle extended upward, 7.5" tall from base to finial tip. The legs are 1.75" long. Weight: 1935 grams, over 62 troy ounces, 4.25 pounds! The stand is 7.75" tall, 9.25" long at the top, 9.75" long at the base, 8.75" wide. Weight: 1275 grams, over 40 troy ounces, 2.8 pounds. The heating device is 3" tall, 4" diameter and weighs 225 grams. Combined weight is 3500 grams, 112.5 troy ounces, 7.71 pounds. The pictures make it difficult to appreciate the massive dimensions of this fine samovar.
Marks: all parts punched with the .950 sterling silver guarantee. The base of the pot bears the Louis Aucoc punch and the Aucoc Aine stamp. Condition is excellent. There is one area of the guilloche that has a very tiny rub. Some tarnish in spots that I believe would accurately be described as a gorgeous aged patina.

Antique Silver
Antique Sterling Silver