Christofle - Salt and pepper shakers (2) - Christofle...

We are putting up for auction an extraordinary piece that is highly representative of the European bourgeois table in the roaring twenties: an original pair of Art Deco salt and pepper shakers in silvered metal from the famous Christofle Gallia line. The two small table containers take the likenesses of Ric and Rac, the renowned pair of dogs (a rough-coated Fox Terrier and a black Scottish Terrier) born from the pencil of French cartoonist and illustrator Pol Rab in the late 1920s. Initially presented on pages of renowned satirical and fashion magazines in Paris, Ric and Rac quickly became an absolute fashion phenomenon, turning into real pop icons of Art Deco visual culture. Their popularity was such that the prestigious jewelry house Christofle purchased the rights to translate them into a series of refined table art objects, including knife rests, decanters, and, indeed, these highly sought-after salt shakers.Design Analysis and Structure: The craftsmanship fully expresses the aesthetic standards of Cubism and geometric modernism dominant around 1930. The lines of the dogs’ bodies are deliberately stylized, faceted, and angular, anticipating the traits of modern industrial design. Each dog is integrated with an octagonal tray intended to hold salt or pepper. The seated dog looks upward with a vigilant expression, creating a splendid vertical line. The standing dog extends horizontally, perfectly balancing the geometric composition of the pair.Conservation Status and Important Details for the Collector: The objects are presented in the original state in which they were found, preserving their precious patina of the era that an expert eye will appreciate. They have not been subjected to aggressive polishing, so as not to remove the original silvering layer about the metal.Note on Glass: Originally, each tray was equipped with a small removable glass liner (often historically attributed to Baccarat), designed specifically to prevent direct contact between salt—a hygroscopic and strongly corrosive substance—and the precious metal. The current lot retains only one intact original crystal (inserted into the standing dog’s salt shaker). The second crystal has been lost over time and is therefore missing.Note on Metal: The hollow of the remaining salt shaker without glass protection shows the classic natural dark oxidation marks at the bottom, caused precisely by the chemical reaction with salt over the decades. The metal structure of both pieces is perfectly solid, with no cracks, subsequent welds, or structural deformations. Under the base of each piece are clearly stamped the historical marks of the Gallia manufacturing line (the characteristic emblem or inscription) together with the inventory numbers from Christofle’s historical catalog of the period. An unmissable opportunity to enrich a collection of mid-century modern design, designer silverware, or 20th‑century design.

Estimation:€350

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