Ciborium - .950 silver, Vermeil - 1800-1850 - 36 cm

Rare Empire Era Ciborium in Vermeil (Solid Silver 1st Title) – Paris (1809–1819) – Attributed to Pierre Paraud or Thomas Favart

Splendid and authentic Catholic liturgical ciborium in vermeil (solid silver coated with a thick layer of gold). This exceptional sacred art object fully embodies the tradition of Parisian high goldsmithing from the pivotal period between the end of the First Empire (Napoleon I) and the very beginning of the Restoration (Louis XVIII).

The object sports a rigorous and streamlined silhouette, characteristic of the Napoleonic neoclassical taste.

The piece shows perfect harmony and bears two distinct groups of official French marks from the period (1809–1819) stamped on its different parts:

On the cup / rim of the lid:
- The Title Mark (Le Coq): Inscribed in an elongated octagon (rectangular with beveled edges). It depicts a rooster facing left, accompanied by the number 1. This state official mark guarantees solid silver of the 1st French title (950/1000), i.e., 95% pure silver.
- The Guarantee Mark: Located immediately next to the Rooster, in an oval cartouche. It shows a small head of a man in profile (guarantee of Paris), certifying legal control and the payment of taxes of the era.

On the edge of the foot (golden zone):
- The Master Goldsmith Mark: Stamped in a regulatory horizontal diamond. You can discern the workshop initials (PF or TF) surrounding a central motif (the different of the master goldsmith).
- The Guarantee Mark reiterated: A second official guarantee mark (small profile head) is affixed, proving that the foot and the cup are original and inseparable (a homogeneous piece with no reassembly).

Height 36 cm - Weight 970 g

Very good overall condition for a liturgical object that has traversed more than two centuries of history. No dents or major deformations. For complete transparency, there are light signs of wear to the gilding on the edges and rims (subtly revealing the solid silver underneath). This forms a noble authenticity patina, sought by collectors, which guarantees an era vermeil that has not undergone any modern restoration or invasive re-gilding.

USAGE WARNINGS AND EXPERTISE (FOR BUYERS)
Goldsmith attribution: The body of the master mark in diamond shows a slightly crushed strike and the central motif (the punch) is faded over time. The workshop initials give rise to two major plausible hypotheses for the Paris period 1809–1819:
- Primary hypothesis (PF): Very likely attributed to Pierre Paraud (and Sons), a renowned Parisian manufacturer specializing in liturgical metalwork under the Empire (which perfectly matches the sacred art specialty and the form of the first letter, a P with a low-loop)
- Secondary hypothesis (TF): Alternatively attributed to Thomas Favart, a prominent Parisian goldsmith registered at that same time.
The definitive interpretation of the initials and the punch is left to the refined judgment of bidders and the expert at Catawiki based on the provided macro photographs.

Photos are an integral part of the object description and complement the presentation. Please review them carefully before bidding.

The object will be carefully packed and shipped with a tracking number to ensure fast and secure delivery.

Happy bidding