19th Century Victorian Silver Plated Milton Shield, Elkington & Co, circa 1890

Léonard Morel-Ladeuil is known to have created only 35 masterworks during his professional career. The most successful and accomplished gold and silver designers of the 19th century were French and Ladeuil, in particular, was regarded as the greatest living practitioner of his craft. He was trained by the famed French silversmith Antoine Vechte, from whom he learned the art of repoussé that is so eloquently showcased in these salvers. Ladeuil began working for Elkington in 1859, very soon after he gained his freedom from apprenticeship. The firm's primary objective for the gifted artisan was utilizing his talents to create grand, intricate works to be displayed at exhibitions and for only the most important special commissions.