Belle Époque French .950 Silver Wine Coasters, L. Lapar, Orfèvre Paris, C. 1880s

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Belle Époque French .950 Silver Wine Coasters by L. Lapar, Orfèvre Paris, Circa 1880 (Pair)

A superb and elegant pair … Read more Belle Époque French .950 Silver Wine Coasters by L. Lapar, Orfèvre Paris, Circa 1880 (Pair)

A superb and elegant pair of late 19th-century French wine coasters by L. Lapar, Orfèvre Paris, each fully hallmarked with the French Minerva head (1st standard) for .950 silver and stamped with the maker’s mark. Measuring 6 inches in diameter (with a 4-inch interior opening) and 1 inch high, these coasters were crafted for fine bottles of wine or Champagne and speak to the ceremonial beauty of Belle Époque table culture.

The design features a flowing repoussé foliate scroll border, bordered by a soft scalloped rim — decorative elements that speak not to rigid neoclassicism but to the ornamental eclecticism of the Belle Époque. The chased leafwork evokes the Rococo revival popular in the late 19th century, while the radial fluting in the basin adds both a functional element and a classical echo. Together, these forms exhibit the lightness, luxury, and fluidity associated with French domestic silver at the end of the 19th century.

Handcrafted using traditional techniques of casting, repoussé, and chasing, these coasters exhibit exceptional density and finish. The interior is mirror-polished, and the weight (approx. 13 oz total) affirms their quality. Lapar, though not as commercially known today as Puiforcat or Cardeilhac, was part of a distinguished lineage of Parisian silversmiths serving the city’s bourgeois and aristocratic clientele during one of France’s most opulent periods of design.

This pair is a rare and refined survival — perfect for collectors of 19th-century silver, sommeliers, or those with a love of historic French dining culture.

Date: Circa 1880
Origin: Paris, France
Material: French .950 silver
Maker: L. Lapar, Orfèvre Paris
Hallmarks: Minerva head (1st standard), maker’s mark
Dimensions: 6" diameter × 1" high; 4" interior diameter
Weight: Approx. 13 oz total
Condition: Excellent antique condition, hallmarks crisp and detailing sharp See less