Orfèvrerie De La Renaissance Et Des Temps Modernes Xvie, Xviie Et Xviiie Siècles : La Collection Du Musée Du Louvre

The Louvre's collection of modern goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares, which includes 891 objects made between 1500 and 1800 in France and Europe, stands out for its exceptional scope. Its slow build-up makes it undoubtedly the finest collection in the world, bearing witness to a long history that began in the royal collections, was revived by the tastes of 19th-century enthusiasts, and has continued to this day thanks to the determination of the museum's curators and the generosity of the greatest patrons.

This work, a catalogue raisonné of the Louvre's gold and silver collection, consists of three volumes: the first is devoted to objects from the 16th and 17th centuries that have never before been the subject of a catalogue raisonné. It includes the historical jewels of the collection, including the ceremonial treasure of the Order of the Holy Spirit and the gold chest long associated with Anne of Austria. The second volume focuses on 18th-century silverware, which is best represented in the Louvre's collection thanks to the large aristocratic dinner services. It includes works from the personal collections of French queens and European princes and sovereigns who were clients of the best silversmiths in Paris. The third volume studies cutlery and knives from the 16th to the 18th century, through the works of the Puiforcat collection, a unique study corpus donated to the Louvre in 1955 by the Greek ship owner Stavros Niarchos.

The result of thirty years of research, this publication offers a genuine renewal of knowledge on the history of the works, the styles, the iconography and the heraldry. The abundantly illustrated and referenced notes include photographs of the hallmarks. In addition, 262 biographies of silversmiths, an index and a heraldic table facilitate the use of this work designed to become a permanent reference.