A RARE EMPIRE SILVER-GILT NECESSAIRE DE VOYAGE

細節
A RARE EMPIRE SILVER-GILT NECESSAIRE DE VOYAGE
by Martin-Guillaume Biennais (Arminjon, 459), Paris, 1793,
remarked 1809-1819, also struck with Russian import marks


Comprising oval basin, teapot applied with two angels holding an imperial crown above an altar on matted ground, with duck's head spout and ebony handle inset with mother-of-pearl discs, tea-caddy inside, chocolate-pot with faceted beaker and warming-stand inside, pair of candlesticks, faceted cup with ebony handle containing covered box, saucer, fork, spoon, tea-spoon, knife, various boxes, all pieces chased with palms and water-leaf rims, various cut-glass flagons, shaving brush etc.In ebony oval fitted case signed Biennais rue Saint-Honoré Au Singe Violet à Paris, with silver plaques engraved with angels and cornucopiae and palms, the hinged cover enclosing mirror with silver-gilt frame chased with bows and stylised flowers on matted ground with water-leaf border.
case 28.5 x 19 cm, 15 cm high
(2,740 gr) (42)

拍品專文

It is very rare to find nécessaires de voyage in such good condition. In this case, each piece is marked and stamped Biennais, except the two spoons made by Pierre-Benoit Lorillon who worked as assistant for Biennais and some of the smallest pieces. Looking carefully at this remarkable set, it seems obvious that it has been ordered by an important gentleman, probably an officer as a campaign set.
Biennais was first known as tablettier and his fame increased considerably after he made in 1796 a nécessaire for General Napoléon Bonaparte before he left for the Egyptian campaign without asking him to pay for it, as he was so certain of the outcome of the campaign. When he became Emperor, Napoléon did not forget this trust and Biennais became Orfèvre de Leurs Majestés Impériales et Royales. A very creative nécessaire including a circular table with its umbrella made by Biennais can be seen in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris.
The present necessaire is not signed Orfèvre de Leurs Majestés Impériales et Royales it indication was made prior to 1804.