Françoise-Marie-Catherine Vigue French Antique .950 Silver Gravy Boat, Paris, c. 1820

The graceful lines of this elegant gravy boat are accentuated by the reeded applique to the rim. The pedestal foot features gadrooned decoration. The scroll handle is ornamented with a rosette from which flows scrolls and acanthus leaves. The proportions of this lovely gravy boat are wonderful.

Françoise-Marie-Catherine Vigue was the widow of silversmith Blaise-Simon Trotin and ran the shop from his death in 1809 until her apparent retirement after 1820. The shop address after 1816 was 17 rue St. Denis, cul-de-sac Basfour.(1) Known for making fine silver in the Empire style, this elegant gravy boat is a fine example of her work.

This fine piece measures 10 inches long over the handle and 7 inches high to the top of the handle. It weighs 10.6 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition. It is marked with the maker' mark, the fineness mark (1st standard, .950 silver) used from 1819-38, and the small and medium guarantee marks.

Endnote:

1. Catherine Arminjon et als, Dictionnaire des poinçons de fabricants d'ouvrages d'or et d'argent: Paris 1798-1838, (Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1991), pp. 91 & 101.