Tétard Frères French .950 Silver and Ebony Art Deco Centerpiece, Paris, France, c. 1930

A stunning example of Art Deco silver from about 1930, this lovely centerpiece bowl relies on bold lines and geometric shapes to create a work of art. The large, oval bowl is attached to the base through a carved, stepped ebony plinth. This adds a striking contrast to highly polished reflective surfaces of the silver.The rectangular base edge supports a slightly recessed upper section with flat angled surfaces and sharply creased corners.

The ends of the bowl are adorned with bold applied protruding bays with canted sides. They rise up from out of the plinth and terminate under the handle. Applied trapezoids on top give the illusion that the side decoration continues through the handles. These additions rise above the continuous flat surface around the edge. Indicative of great Art Deco design is the way simple shapes and lines create movement and great presence, as does this centerpiece.

Tétard Frères, along with Puiforcat and Christofle, was one of the leading makers of French Art Deco silver. With a long history of exceptional silversmithing which includes gold medals at 19th century world fairs, Maison Tétard began making silver in the 'moderne' style during the 1920's under the design leadership of Valéry Bizouard. In 1930, Bizouard was joined by Jean Tétard. Together, they are responsible for one of the finest bodies of French Art Deco designs.(1) We believe this piece was designed by Bizouard.

This rare sterling silver centerpiece bowl is fully hallmarked with the company mark and Mercury head (French 1st standard export mark). It measures 13 inches long across the handles by 8.25 wide by 7.25 inches high, weighs 75.70 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition with minor scratches to the interior from use.

Endnote:

1. Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigt, Modern Art of Metalwork/Brohan Museum, (Berlin: Brohan Museum, 2001), p. 439.