Silver and porcelain surtout de table by Tétard Frères and Samson

This superb surtout de table is crafted from silver and porcelain, with the silver by Tétard Frères and the porcelain by Samson, two of the leading French firms in their respective crafts.

The surtout features a mirrored three-section silver framed base, with the central section roughly oval in shape, and the two smaller flanking sections resembling lobes. The central section hosts a silver and porcelain tazza: the gadrooned silver oval bowl is raised on a porcelain rockwork stem modelled with colourful flowers and putti. Four porcelain figural groups surround the tazza, each modelled as a putto seated on a parcel gilt plinth, with the four figures representing the four seasons. The two flanking sections of the surtout are centred with candelabra, each candelabrum with a plinth-form porcelain base moulded with applied flowers and foliage, and with each candelabrum issuing four S-scroll silver branches.

The porcelain is marked for Samson, and the silver is fully hallmarked for Tétard.

Surtout: Height 3.5cm, width 117cm, depth 43cm
Central comport: Height 35.5cm, width 23cm, depth 17cm