Silver gilt vermiel Charles 10th style campana shaped cup with ornate floriate repousse decoration sea serpent handle unmarked Early 19th century

A very decorative early 19th century silver gilt (vermiel) pedestal footed cup with ornate repousse floriate decoration and a scrolling sea serpent ring handle. It is most probably French as is made in a Louis Philippe - Charles 10th style, Restoration period, circa 1830 and could be described as campana shaped.

This is a beautiful example of the silversmiths artistry. The cup stands on a stepped round pedestal foot which is decorated with stylised palm leaves. The lower half of the bowl of the cup has been ribbed. The middle section has extensive repoussé embossing and chasing of stylised flower motifs and four equally spaced large raised oval "cabachons" all on a textured matte background. The top section with the bowl has a smooth flared neck and turned over rim. The top is matte silver on the outside and gilded on the interior. The scrolling ring sea serpent handle which appears to be eating its own tail is cast with scales and has an integral acanthus leaf and cabachon thumb rest. There are additional bands of gilding on the middle and foot of the cup

The cup is not hallmarked but tests as silver. This beautiful cup we think is for chocolate, we have seen similar described as such but, it may be described by some collectors as a cabinet cup, christening cup, a demitasse, tea cup or punch cup.

Condition: Very good antique condition and very usable condition, some minor marks and dents to the rim and some wear and marking to the gilding, commensurate with age and use. Please see the images. 

The cup stands 3 1/8 inches ( 8 cm ) high, 4 3/16 inches ( 10.5 cm ) long and 2 3/4 inches (  7 cm ) diameter at the rim. It weighs 60 grammes unpacked. It has a maximum capacity of 150 millilitres.

Free UK postage, international postage at cost.