Antique Solid Silver Ewer and Flask. Emile Hugo. France, Circa 1870

Antique solid-silver pitcher and basin set made by the silversmith Emile Hugo, coming from France and dated in the late 19th century (circa 1870). This outstanding set is a real work of art because of the quality work by the renowned French silversmith and the pieces intrinsic beauty. The pieces by Emile Hugo, who worked in his shop of Rue de Quatre-Fils (Paris) from 1853 to 1880, are very sought-after by collectors and experts for their beauty and quality. The set is in amazing condition: there is only a small flaw to be appreciated, a very small dent in the pitcher. The rest of the silverware is perfectly preserved and looks shiny, even and full of decorative engravings. Both the pitcher and the basin are embellished with romantic motifs, framed by vegetal-inspired details. This decoration is in line with Romanticism, a style that was a trend in the late 19th century. It combines hand-engraved parts with gorgeous embossed motifs. The mixture of both technics creates a lovely and very special design. The main scene is an embossed image of a worried young man who sits among plants and flowers. He is accompanied by a standing young girl dressed in pastoral-style clothes who is petting the young mans head. Both are surrounded by big leaves and flowers. This embossed image is located at the back central part of the basin, and at the body of the pitcher too. It embellishes the most visible and relevant parts of each piece. The basins edge is decorated with more gorgeous embossed motifs depicting bunches of grapes and big flowers. It also bears delicate engraved volutes, similar to the ones that decorate the pitchers body. At the center we can see three hand-engraved initials: P.V.L. The pitcher is covered by lovely intricate hand-engraved motifs too. The handle is a beautiful part composed of two curved parts with their own decoration too. The hallmarks of the French silver and the silversmith Emile Hugo can be found at the pitchers foot and the back of the basin. This antique solid-silver pitcher and basin will shine in a great dining room, maybe on the dining table or adorning a stately sideboard. Measurements: Pitcher: Foots Width: 4.72 in / 11.8 cm. Maximum Width: 6.4 in / 16 cm. Height: 11.2 in / 28 cm. Weigth: 853 gms. Basin: Foots Width: 7.12 in / 17.8 cm. Total Width: 13.6 in / 34 cm. Height: 4.4 in / 11 cm. Weight: 1055 gms.