ALFRED HECTOR (active in Paris, 1881 and 1913) The superb pair of full-sized French claret jugs or wine carafe you see are rare to find. More often we find a single without its partner. The fluted cut crystal would be from Baccarat, commissioned and the elegantly worked heavy 900/1000 pure silver would have been mounted more than 100 years ago. Not a flaw to note on the pair, really, just presenting elegantly in a bit of a Louis XIV decorative style. Cross ribbons on the handles and florals, fruit finials up top of each, the interior of the hinge-covered caps and necks have a vermeil coating of 18k gold. For table service, one white and one red wine. Full measurements noted on the photos. Also noted, the silversmith's poincon, or punch mark, and the Minerve #1 which guarantees the heavy 900/1000 pure silver. SO elegant on my table with fine French sterling flatware, raised gold enamel Limoges plates - a work of art to be created for you, too.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. One tiniest push in a spot on one spout, you won't even fine it. No bends and no breaks in either silver or the Baccarat crystal, each hand-crafted by Paris artists. I can say that these could have used a higher polish ahead of photos and perhaps Rick will do these over - he's a perfectionist when it comes to our fine antique French sterling silver! Again, you are buying the matching pair, not a single carafe.
