French cruets. XVIII CENTURY

Lovely French Oil and Vinegar Bottles with Decorative Solid Silver Cruet Stand. 18th century, circa 1785. With Parisian hallmarks that were used between 1783 and 1789. They undoubtedly stand out in the two original bottles, made of delicate blown glass and with decorative silver caps from the same era. Magnificent engraved silver cruet stand, decorated with vegetal motives and volutes alternating with an original and exquisite pearly design which continues along the handle and the covers with its nice and curvy shapes. On the front side of the bottles we can see two bunches of grapes, one on each, and the caps are engraved with pineapples which provide the item with beauty and decorativeness. The bottles rest on a highly original concave wavy cruet stand, supported by four small legs which show the same decoration as the handle and the body. The set comes with the French silver marks which attest to the date and place of making. All the parts are original and remain in perfect condition. The oil and vinegar bottles, as we know them nowadays, come from an original design which consisted in two small bottles (one for oil and the other for vinegar) resting on a stand. First they were entirely made of silver, but from the 18th century on they started to be mostly made of glass. In the 19th century they were made of pressed glass, which provided higher resistance and durability. It was in the middle of the 18th century when the bottles started to be accompanied by salt and pepper shakers. Beautiful high-quality article, very decorative, perfect for any lover of silver pieces. Measurements: 26 x 29 x 14 cm. Total weight: 1295 gr. Silver weight: 610 gr.