Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
Lot Essay
A salt-cellar with caryatids, perhaps this example, is perfectly described in the auction of the collection of Mr Léon Dufourny (1754-1818) in Paris on 16 November 1819. He was a Membre de l’Académie royal des Beaux-Arts, curator at the Museum central des Arts (later Musée du Louvre) and Professeur à l’Ecole d’Architecture. In the 1819 auction catalogue, the salt-cellar is described: "Piedestal, dont quatre des faces representant chacune un fronton brisé, soutenu par un satyre et par une femme, terminés en gaine et unis ensemble par une guirlande de fleurs; au centre de cette espèce de portique est figurée une tête de Méduse. La partie supérieure du même objet forme un cratère entouré d’une arabesque et de quatre têtes de chérubins, Hauteur: 17 cm, largeur: 12 ½ cm".
A similar salt-cellar with caryatids was formerly in the collection of comte Basilewsky, illustrated by Alexandre Sauzay, Henri Delange, Carle Delange and C. Borneman, Monographie de l'oeuvre de Bernard Palissy suivie d'un choix de ses continuateurs ou imitateurs, Paris, 1862. It is now in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
A salt-cellar with Neptune is illustrated in the catalogue of the Spitzer collection sold in 1893 for 7,000 francs (Frédéric Spitzer collection (1815-1890), his sale; Paris, Me Paul Chevalier, 17 April-16 June 1893, lot 634).
Related Articles
Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.
You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Presenting well overall; some scratches and wear throughout, consistent with age and handling; scattered minor kiln imperfections, in the making, including occasional firing lines and tiny dark kiln specks; a faint network of fine craquelure to the glaze at each; generally with small glaze flakes, frits and small chips, mainly to edges and raised areas. Individual details about each salt-cellar below:
The salt-cellar with garlands of flowers and winged cherubs: restoration and repaired chips to various areas, including all four sides of the entablature, the four orb-form ornaments above the cherub masks and possibly to the gadrooning around the salt well; a vertical hairline crack to one side, to the right of the herm column at its right; two of the four sides of the stepped base previously off and in pieces, now reattached with associated touch-up.
The salt-cellar with Neptunes: one upper corner restored; the foot repaired at all four sides; some touch-up over the repairs; the area surrounding the circular well fluoresces under UV light, mainly at the underside, indicating probable restoration.
Cost calculator
Lot 510Sale 22103
CIRCA 1600-1650, PROBABLY PARIS OR FONTAINEBLEAUTWO FRENCH POST-PALISSY EARTHENWARE SALT-CELLARSEstimate: USD 3,000 - 5,000
Enter your bid amount for an estimated cost
Bid amount
Please enter numbers onlyAmount must be higher than the starting bidAmount must be higher than the current bid
Buyer's premium
Loss, damage and liability
Shipping
Estimated Excise Duty
Artist Resale Royalty
Estimated total cost exclusive of customs duties/charges and tariffs