Antiques M.S. Rau | George Iii Silver Epergne By Thomas Pitts

This Impressive George Iii Silver Epergne Was Crafted By Renowned London Silversmith Thomas Pitts. Fashioned In The Neoclassical Style, It Features The Nine Beautifully Pierced Baskets, Scrolling Arms And Finely Chased Swags And Supports. Pitts Is Known For The Exceptional Quality Of His Pierced Basketwork, And This Centerpiece Particularly Attests To His Outstanding Craftsmanship And Dramatic Flair.

Because Of The Incredible Expense Of Creating These Large, Ornate Works In Sterling, Very Few Were Designed With More Than Five Baskets, And Nine-Basket Epergnes Are Among The Rarest Of All Silver Creations. Pitts Crafted Only A Handful Of These Nine-Basket Epergnes For His Wealthiest Clients; A Similar Epergne By Pitts Resides In London’S Victoria &Amp; Albert Museum.

An Epergne Is A Dining Table Centerpiece, Usually Of Silver, Comprised Of A Central Bowl And Four Or More Dishes Held By Radiating Branches, And Used To Serve Pickles, Fruits, Nuts, Sweetmeats And Other Small Delicacies. These Multi-Purpose Pieces Were Meant To Facilitate A New Dining Style Known As Service À La Française Where Guests Helped Themselves, Rather Than Being Served By Butlers Or Footmen. According To Several Sources, The Epergne, A Word Derived From The French “Epaigner,” Meaning Thrifty, Arrived In England In The First Quarter Of The 18Th Century. In England, Epergnes Were Called “Save Alls,” Noting The Servants’ Work Saved By Having Items Within Arm’S Reach On The Table.

Hallmarked London, 1772

20 1/2“ Wide X 21 1/2” Deep X 16“ High