1798-1809 Jean-Baptiste-Simon Lefranc, Paris Rare French Empire Silver Teapot (530 g)

$3,200.00
A rare and significant French Empire silver teapot by the master Parisian silversmith Jean-Baptiste-Simon Lefranc, crafted during the Directoire to early Napoleonic era (1798–1809). Made from .950 fine silver and weighing 532 grams (excluding handle), the teapot stands on anthropomorphic hoof feet, with the body rising in a classical baluster form. The ebonized handle joins the vessel at a formal rosette mount, while the cast spout terminates in a sculptural lion’s paw—hallmarks of French neoclassical silver. The ornamentation features stylized acanthus leaves and engraved border bands of Empire taste. Fully marked with Paris first-standard (.950) silver marks and Lefranc’s maker’s punch. Teapots by Lefranc are highly collectible and rarely appear in figural form. A comparable (but larger) coffee pot by the same maker sold at Christie's in 2008 for the equivalent of over $4,400 USD today. Keywords: French silver teapot, antique French silver, Empire silver, Jean-Baptiste Lefranc, Paris silversmith, 1798 silver, figural silver, ebonized handle, neoclassical teapot, Directoire period, Napoleonic Empire, silver collectible, hoof feet teapot Dimensions: 5" x 7" Weight: 530 grams Check out some of my other French sterling silver hollowware here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=29377404 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
A rare and significant French Empire silver teapot by the master Parisian silversmith Jean-Baptiste-Simon Lefranc, crafted during the Directoire to early Napoleonic era (1798–1809). Made from .950 fine silver and weighing 532 grams (excluding handle), the teapot stands on anthropomorphic hoof feet, with the body rising in a classical baluster form. The ebonized handle joins the vessel at a formal rosette mount, while the cast spout terminates in a sculptural lion’s paw—hallmarks of French neoclassical silver. The ornamentation features stylized acanthus leaves and engraved border bands of Empire taste. Fully marked with Paris first-standard (.950) silver marks and Lefranc’s maker’s punch. Teapots by Lefranc are highly collectible and rarely appear in figural form. A comparable (but larger) coffee pot by the same maker sold at Christie's in 2008 for the equivalent of over $4,400 USD today. Keywords: French silver teapot, antique French silver, Empire silver, Jean-Baptiste Lefranc, Paris silversmith, 1798 silver, figural silver, ebonized handle, neoclassical teapot, Directoire period, Napoleonic Empire, silver collectible, hoof feet teapot Dimensions: 5" x 7" Weight: 530 grams Check out some of my other French sterling silver hollowware here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=29377404 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP