A pair of Victorian silver-gilt figural salts by Jean-Valentin Morel, London 1850, the bases engraved 'Morel & Cie à Londres' (2) image 1

Lot 85

A pair of Victorian silver-gilt figural salts
by Jean-Valentin Morel, London 1850, the bases engraved 'Morel & Cie à Londres' (2)

Important Design

25 October 2017, 14:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

Sold for £16,250 inc. premium

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Ellis Finch

Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department

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A pair of Victorian silver-gilt figural salts

by Jean-Valentin Morel, London 1850, the bases engraved 'Morel & Cie à Londres'
Modelled as basket-laden donkeys being encouraged forwards by girls in 18th century dress, the baskets with removable liners, on grass-effect bases with wood inserts, height 23.5cm, weight 59oz. (2)

Footnotes

Morel exhibited a set of these salts and those of the previous lot at the Great Exhibition, where they were described in The Official Catalogue as 'Saltcellars representing figures on donkeys with baskets, embossed and chased; and figures holding baskets, modelled and chased.'

Jean-Valentin Morel (1794-1860) was the son of a Parisian lapidary, and studied in the workshop of the gold box maker Adrien Vachette. He began business on his own account around 1830, later settling in Rue Neuve St Augustin in partnership with the French architect Henri Duponchel. After a lawsuit and the dissolution of the partnership, Morel was barred from working in the Department of the Seine, and moved his business to London. He registered his mark in 1849, and continued to produce the highest quality silver and jewellery. At the Great Exhibition of 1851, he was awarded a Council Medal.

Despite the success, Morel struggled financially and returned to France in 1852, winning the Grand Medaille for goldwork and jewellery at the Paris International Exhibition of 1855.

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