Antique Water Jug And Washbasin In Solid Silver. Emile Hugo. France, Circa 1870

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Antique Solid Silver Water Jug and Bowl Set. Emile Hugo. France, circa 1870

Antique solid silver water jug and bowl set by silversmith Emile Hugo, crafted in France in the late 19th century (circa 1870). This impressive set is a work of art in silversmithing, both for the quality of the work by the renowned French silversmith and for the intrinsic beauty of each piece. The works of silversmith Emile Hugo, who worked in his workshop on Rue de Quatre-Fils in Paris from 1853 to 1880, are highly sought after by collectors and experts for their beauty and quality. The set is in magnificent condition; the only flaw we can see is a small dent on the ewer. The rest of the silver is in perfect conditionsmooth, shiny, and full of decorative engravings.

Both the ewer and the basin are decorated with Romantic motifs, surrounded by plant-inspired details. This decoration is very much in keeping with the Romantic style, one of the trends in vogue at the end of the 19th century. It combines hand-engraved sections on the silver with beautiful details in relief: the blend of these two techniques creates a truly beautiful and unique aesthetic. The central scene is a relief depicting a pensive young man, seated among plants and flowers and accompanied by a young woman. The young woman is dressed in pastoral attire and stands, caressing the young mans head. Both are surrounded by large leaves and flowers. This relief is located on the central rear part of the basin and on the body of the ewer, decorating the most visible and prominent areas of both pieces.

The rim of the basin is decorated with additional reliefsall of great beautydepicting clusters of grapes on the vine and flowers. It also features delicate volutes engraved on the silver, similar to those on the body of the ewer. In the center, we can see three hand-engraved initials: P.V.L. The water jug is also covered with beautiful and intricate hand engravings. The handle is very beautiful and consists of two curved pieces, cast in silver and featuring their own decoration. The hallmarks of French silver and silversmith Emile Hugo are clearly visible on the base of the ewer and on the back of the basin.

This antique solid silver ewer and basin will shine with a radiance of its own in a grand living room, on the dining table, or on a stately sideboard.

Dimensions: Water Jug: Base Width: 11.8 cm. Maximum Width: 16 cm. Height: 28 cm. Weight: 853 g. Washbasin: Base Width: 17.8 cm. Total Width: 34 cm. Height: 11 cm. Weight: 1,055 g.