A. RISLER & CARRÉ – PARIS - Carafe (2) - .950 silver - liqueur decanter

The subject of this auction is an exceptional pair of luxurious liqueur decanters created by the renowned Parisian jewellery and silversmithing house A. Risler & Carré, active between 1897 and 1912. The set was produced around 1900, during the peak of the firm’s activity, as confirmed by the R&C master’s mark (registered in 1899), the Empire Revival design, and the engraving style consistent with French crystal works from circa 1899–1905. These pieces represent the highest level of French Belle Époque craftsmanship, combining masterfully worked silver with crystal of outstanding quality.

Each decanter bears the full signature “A. RISLER & CARRÉ – PARIS” as well as the clear maker’s mark R&C (star and square). The mounts also feature the French Minerva head hallmark, confirming fabrication in solid 950/1000 silver. The golden tone of the mounts corresponds to the vermeil technique solid silver richly coated with gold which is a traditionally reserved for luxury objects.

The crystal bodies are adorned with deep, hand-engraved decoration, featuring botanical motifs, laurel leaves, floral baskets, and classical ornaments. The precision and finesse of the engraving allow the glass to be attributed with high confidence to the royal Cristallerie de Saint-Louis, the oldest and most prestigious French crystal manufacturer, which supplied crystal to the foremost Parisian silversmiths of the period, including Risler & Carré.

The gilded silver mounts exhibit the Empire Revival style, characteristic of the turn of the 20th century. Palmettes, laurel wreaths, delicate rosettes and decorative garlands are executed with exceptional chiselling precision. Particular attention is drawn to the finely modelled motif of a dove carrying an olive branch—a symbol of peace and triumph frequently used in luxurious Parisian objets d’art of the late 19th century.

The set is preserved in excellent condition, without cracks, chips, or losses to the glass, with the gilding beautifully intact and both original stoppers included. Pairs of decanters of this calibre, in such remarkable preservation, are exceedingly rare.

Dimensions:
• height with stopper: 20 cm
• height without stopper: 16 cm
• base diameter: 6 cm
• total weight of the pair: 736 g

This exceptionally rare, museum-quality set is intended for discerning collectors of French decorative arts from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, connoisseurs of vermeil silver, and admirers of the finest Belle Époque craftsmanship. The Risler & Carré decanters are objects of true museum significance—ideal for prestigious private collections, refined interiors, and for investors seeking artworks with steadily increasing historical and artistic value.