A French silver cruet set dating from the 19th century, having in the shaft the engraved armorial shield for the Rothschild family. Probably ordered by Baron Wilhem Carl von Rothschild (1828 – 1901) to the renowned goldsmith Morel & Cie.Chi selled and engraved ‘rococo’ decoration of foliage, floral,trellis, garlands and scroll motifs. The silver frame features slots for the six cut glass cruets and for the respective stoppers. The centrally placed handle is decorated by dense asymmetrical curveand counter-curve naturalistic floral scrolls, and by a double car touche depicting the Rothschild armorial shield. The four pierced feet scalloped base is decorated with engraved trellis and foliage scroll motifs. Paris assay-marks for 1838 – 1972 (950/000). Renowned French gold and silversmith, Jean-Valentin Morel1(1794 – 1860) was an apprentice with Adrien Vachete, who supplied gold boxes to King Louis XVI and to Emperor Napoleon.
Master in 1827, Morel specialised in gold reliefs and fine hard stone inlays. In 1842 he settles at rue Neuve Saint Augustin, in Paris, founding Morel & Cie. With his international reputation growing, he moves to London in 1850, settling at 7 New Burlington Street.Given a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria, Morel returns to France (Sèvres) in 1852.
From amongst his production stands out Pope Gregory XVI’s prayer book, the King of Sardinia dinner set, commissions for the King of Holland William III and for Tzar Alexander II, the Count of Chambord snuff box, as well as the lapis-lazuli cup for the artspatron Duke of Luynes, with which Morel was awarded the Great Medal at the 1855 International Exhibition. In addition to this trophy, he was also awarded a gold medal at the French Industrial Exhibition of 1844, and the Council Medal at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. In 1855 he was appointed a Knight of the Legion d’Honneur by Emperor Napoleon III.