Pair of silver and crystal claret jugs by Victor Boivin

These pear-shaped silver and crystal ewers are stunning examples of late French 19th century Rococo revival. The glass body of each is fluted and twisted and mounted with richly decorated silver. The base and slender neck are set in solid silver and feature twisted foliage as well as curved c-scrolls, shell motifs, and acanthus leaves; the cartouche is engraved with initials. Each with a hinged lid that has interior gilding and a lifting stem with the same lavish motifs; the handles are elegantly casted with scroll work.

The claret jugs are fully hallmarked, with the French sterling silver mark of Minerva and maker’s mark of the Parisian maker Victor Boivin who worked at 5 rue de Montmorency, Paris from at least 1897. They are numbered respectively 'D1212' and 'D1213'. Boivin’s fine quality silverwork is popular among collectors looking for well executed Rococo revival pieces.