Paul Crespin Regence Crystal Silver Gilt 1700s/1800s Centerpiece Bowl

Fine Regency silver-gilt and crystal Monteith centerpiece London from the late 18th/ early 19th centuries, round lion's paw footed base adorned with bacchanalian, mask and intertwined tendrils, supporting scalloped and cut-crystal large bowl. Measuring 12" in height by 12 1/4" in diameter and the base weighs 78 ozt. In beautiful condition. Bearing hallmarks as shown. Attributed to Paul Crespin, highly important and serious rival to Paul de Lamerie.  

In 1726, Crespin joined forces with a number of other Huguenot goldsmiths and silversmiths, including Paul De Lamerie, to provide a large dinner service to the Empress Catherine of Russia. Crespins's contribution, a large hand-chased cup and cover, is on display in the Hermitage Museum, in St. Petersburg.

In the 1730s and 1740s Crespin produced most of his finest work, and proved that not only was he a fine craftsman, but also a courageous designer and innovator. Because of this many of his interesting pieces caught the eye of the Royal family and many nobles. Ducal and other noble commissions for important pieces flowed into his workshops.

In 1741 Crespin received his most important commission from Frederick, Prince of Wales, for a very large and impressive table centrepiece. This piece was festooned with figurines and decoration based on a marine and nautical theme and is still in the Royal collection at Windsor Castle.While some of his surviving works, such as the soup tureen of 1740 in the Toledo Museum, testify to his outstanding skills, many of his greatest pieces, such as a "fine silver bathing vessel" made for the king of Portugal in 1724, have been lost.

Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions, and please see our other listings. We hand polish all items before shipping them out, but if there is interest for a professional polishing and/or engraving removal, we can take care of that for an additional charge and with delayed shipping.