Monograms

French 950 standard sterling silver First Empire double salt dips and stand by N.C.R Houzet of Paris France, who worked from 1812 - 1813. This important Napoleonic salt stand has a double lion, Rosette and stylized flame finial handle rising from two griffins sitting on an oval gadroon base. The large base has a reeded border and sits on four ball feet and is inscribed J. Center in period script. The cobalt glass lined, cut work frames have wide, collared reeded top, middle and bottom borders and are marked with the guarantee marks and the 950 fineness marks for 1809 - 1819. The underside of the base has the maker′s mark, the Rooster number 1 mark and the script mark of the maker Houzet. This extraordinary double salt is 7 1/8" tall, 6 3/4" long, 3 7/8" wide and it weighs 448 grams or 14.4 ozs. Troy, silver weight only. The original attachment nuts for the frames and the handle are present and the pieces are removable for cleaning. Inscribed as described above, the soft, warm, original finish is present, with no buffing or machine polishing. The excellent original condition and clear detail, with no removals, repairs or alterations, make this an especially attractive offering.