Important Solid Silver Ewer by Emile Hugo. Paris, circa 1860. Weight: 2,7 Kilos

Extraordinary water jug and basin set made by Emile Hugo, and worthy of the best silver collection. It is also a delicate antique that was made in Paris between 1860 and 1870. Both pieces are made of high-quality solid silver and weigh 2700 grams in all. The set is composed of the classical water jug and basin, both signed and marked and lovely-looking. The set has Emile Hugos hallmark; he was a famous French silversmith who worked in Paris in the second half of the 19th century and owned an atelier in the Rue des Quatre-Files. The silver works of this atelier stand out because of their quality and elegance.The set is in perfect condition, and as well as the hallmarks that testify for the silvers quality we can also see the makers mark: a stamp with the words E. HUGO. The water jug is especially attractive, with a stylish design and a fine handle. This piece is modeled in the shape of a cherub putti who is holding a volute on top of his head; the putti arches his body in a graceful way. The jugs body is convex and bears four embossed medals also depicting couples of cherubs or angels in relaxed poses. The rest of the jugs surface boasts subtle engravings that match the basins decoration.The basin has a deep design with circular mouth. The edge is decorated with a fringe of volutes and eight equidistant non-engraved medals. From each medal a couple of parallel lines come out and all of them meet at the bottom, where a classical circular fringe surrounds an anagram with two elegant initials: MU. The basins inner surface is decorated with subtle engravings in the shape of four-dot groups. The piece is elegant and makes a delicious contrast with the baroque dynamism of the beautiful water jug. If we turn the basin upside down we will see three hallmarks, two of them with the silversmiths name and another used in France between 1837 and 1873 for all the solid silver items destined for export.This is undoubtedly an exceptional piece of superior beauty and value, fit for a Prince, that will shine in the most elegant living room. An authentic eye-catcher.Measurements: Jug: Width: 210 mm. Height: 490 mm. Basin: 420 mm diameter. Weight: 2,700 kg.