Centrepiece - Regency Revival Craftsmanship - Alpaca Silver-plated - Belle Époque Elegance

Magnificent and elegant centerpiece, a collector's item that captivates with its refined design and exquisite ornamentation. This pedestal fruit bowl or planter features a lobed and contoured shape, characteristic of the most sophisticated styles of European decor.
Its most distinctive and charming element is the two swallows in full flight that adorn the ends, perched gracefully on the rim. The level of detail in the birds' plumage is extraordinary, adding a touch of nature and movement to the rigidity of the metal. The main body and base feature a fluted or pleated design that enhances the piece's shine and shape.
-Origin: French (given the elegant style and the fauna theme, very popular in French decorative silverware).
-Style: This piece stands at the intersection of two refined aesthetic currents. It displays the lyrical elegance and naturalistic themes characteristic of the Belle Époque, while its formal structure and imposing presence on a pedestal evoke the neoclassical sophistication of the Regency style. It is a perfect fusion of grace and nobility.
-Period: Late 19th or early 20th century. Approx. 1890-1920.
-Ornamentation: Notable features include the two swallows with intricate relief detail on the rim, the lobed shape of the contour, and the fluted design on the cup and conical base.
-Material: Silver-plated alpaca (German silver or Maillechort in France, traditionally used in silversmithing for its resemblance to silver).
-Mark: An undecipherable mark or stamp is visible on the upper edge of the base, an authentic detail that attests to its age and origin, although difficult to identify precisely (see detailed photos). -MEASUREMENTS:
*Total Length (with swallows): 46 cm
*Cup Length: 39 cm
*Maximum Width: 28 cm
*Maximum Height (to the tip of the swallow's wing): 17.5 cm
*Height to the rim of the cup: 14.5 cm
*Length of the swallows: 9.5 cm
*Base Width: 20.5 cm
-CONDITION:
*The piece is in good condition. It has scratches in the smooth center. No silvering loss or dents have been detected. For a detailed analysis, the attached photographs are an essential and indispensable part of this description. We invite you to examine them with the utmost care to appreciate every detail: the quality of the relief, the technique and ornamentation, or any detail of beauty or sign of aging that lends it its authentic character.
*Evaluate the condition using the provided images.
-VERSATILITY
This centerpiece is extremely versatile. It is ideal as a fruit bowl in a formal dining room, as a planter for low floral arrangements, or simply as a striking decorative piece on a console, buffet, or coffee table. Its elegance makes it the perfect complement to both classic interiors and eclectic, refined spaces.
A unique opportunity to acquire a piece of great beauty and quality, a testament to an era of elegance.
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