A Rococò silver masterpiece by Paul de Lamerie

Cambi Auction House announces the eagerly awaited Live Auction “Collectors’ Silvers” scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the prestigious venue of Castello Mackenzie in Genoa. The event will be held in two consecutive sessions, at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM respectively, dedicated to antique silverware and 20th-century production, offering the public a selection of outstanding historical, technical, and aesthetic significance.

Among the most refined works of 18th-century silversmithing, a splendid basket in cast, repoussé, pierced, and chased silver stands out for its extraordinary craftsmanship and the rich decorative repertoire that defines it.

Weighing an impressive 1,850 grams and featuring generous dimensions (36 x 28.5 x 11 cm, and 36 x 28.5 x 31 cm with the handle raised), the basket displays quintessential Rococo forms—elegant and dynamic. The lobed basin, finely pierced and engraved with floral reserve motifs, rests on a band adorned with garlands, shells, and foliate feet that lend a sense of lightness to the entire structure.

From the upper rim—animated by chased scrolls, flowers, and shells—emerge striking lion heads from which rises a gracefully arched handle, perfectly integrated into the decorative harmony of the piece. The refined interplay between the pierced surfaces and the bold reliefs creates a striking effect of light and volume, enhancing every detail of the craftsmanship.

The aesthetic balance and exceptional craftsmanship of this silver piece, together with the hallmarks stamped on its underside, strongly suggest the hand of the most celebrated goldsmith active in England during the second half of the 18th century: Paul de Lamerie.

Born in the Netherlands to a family of French Huguenot nobility, de Lamerie moved to London in 1688 and trained in the workshop of silversmith Pierre Platel. He began working independently in 1713 and soon became a supplier to the English court. His works—of unmatched refinement—are defined by a personal and unmistakable Rococo style, marked by bold formal inventions and decorative virtuosity that captivated audiences well beyond Britain, as evidenced by commissions for King John V of Portugal.

The basket presents clear stylistic affinities with celebrated works by Paul de Lamerie now held in major international museums—most notably, comparable baskets dated 1744 and 1745, preserved respectively at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Clark Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

To further attest to its authenticity and significance, the piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the renowned English gallery E. & C. T. Koopman & Son LTD—an additional confirmation of its exceptional value and prestige.

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