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Odiot French Empire Silver-Gilt Traveling Dressing Case
About the Item
French Empire Silver-Gilt Traveling Dressing Case
Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot
Circa 1835
This exceptional silver-gilt nécessaire de voyage represents the pinnacle of French silversmithing from the early 19th century. Crafted by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, the official silversmith to Napoleon and Louis XVIII, this extraordinary 18-piece dressing set was commissioned for Viscountess Deerhurst, Harriet Anne Cockerell (1812-1842). The set's exquisite artistry was so remarkable, it was written about in numerous news publications and was actually mistaken for solid gold.
The magnificent rosewood case, embellished with the royal coronet and the Viscountess's initials, houses a spectacular array of dressing implements. Each piece demonstrates sublime artistry with elaborate chasing and meticulous attention to detail. The set's centerpiece features a monumental 10-inch high melon-fluted ewer and 14-inch diameter basin, both exemplifying Odiot's masterful technique in the Empire style. Additional components include four silver-gilt mounted glass scent bottles, various toilet boxes, cylindrical jars, a hot water jug and a hand mirror—all exhibiting the same extraordinary level of craftsmanship. The case itself contains an ingenious design feature: two concealed drawers revealing four secret locked compartments, highlighting the sophisticated engineering that complemented the set's aesthetic brilliance.
It would have been rare for a member of the British aristocracy to commission such an elaborate nécessaire from the official French royal silversmith, as England had numerous great silversmiths, and import taxes on foreign-made objects would have made it extraordinarily expensive. It was likely commissioned from Odiot because there was no silversmith in the British Empire who could create such a masterpiece.
In her 1842 will, Viscountess Deerhurst left the nécessaire to her son, George William, the future 9th Earl of Coventry. When he later married Lady Blanche Craven in January 1865, the service was presented as a wedding gift to her, its importance noted nationally in The Worcestershire Chronicle and The Sporting Gazette.
The marvelous case of this nécessaire also held scandalous family secrets. Beneath the ewer and basin, within one of the four secret locked compartments, an incredible discovery was made over a century after the set’s creation. A letter was held within that detailed a secret relationship with the future Earl.
Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot (1763-1850) stands among history's most celebrated silversmiths, renowned for his work during the Empire and Restoration periods. After inheriting his grandfather's workshop in 1785, Odiot rose to prominence, creating pieces for the imperial household and European nobility. His appointment as official silversmith to Napoleon solidified his reputation as a master craftsman whose work embodied the sumptuous Empire style. Odiot's distinction continued under Louis XVIII, establishing him as one of the most sought-after silversmiths of his era. This nécessaire represents a rare commission from British aristocracy to a French royal silversmith, speaking to Odiot's unrivaled talent that transcended national boundaries during a period of complex Anglo-French relations.
Bears the maker's marks for Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, Paris
26" high x 31" wide x 22 1/5" deep (66.04 x 78.74 x 56.15 cm)
- Creator:Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot (Metalworker)
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)
- Style:Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1835
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 32-04461stDibs: LU891145145612
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