Keller Original French Art Deco Sterling Silver Serving Tureen
Direct from Paris: From the
birth place of Art Deco, a magnificent 3pc."Gatsby Era" original 950 sterling
silver soup / stew serving tureen, in near new condition by France's premier Art
Deco silversmith "Gustave Keller" and no monograms, circa early 1920s. The world
of French silversmithing represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship, where
technical mastery meets artistic vision. Among its most distinguished
practitioners stands Gustave Keller, a master artisan whose career spanned the
transition from the ornate styles of the Belle Époque to the bold modernity of
Art Deco. Renowned for his exceptional 950 sterling silver creations, Keller's
legacy is defined by his uncompromising standards of quality, prestigious royal
patronage, numerous industry accolades, and his innovative contributions to the
Art Deco movement - particularly exemplified in his magnificent soup tureens
that perfectly capture the spirit of their era.
Keller’s Beginnings:
Active during the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, Gustave Keller emerged as one of France's preeminent silversmiths at
a time when Paris remained the undisputed capital of luxury metalwork. Keller's
surviving works demonstrate a profound understanding of both traditional
techniques and avant-garde design principles. His workshop, based in Paris,
catered to an elite international clientele that included European royalty,
wealthy industrialists, and discerning collectors who appreciated the highest
expressions of the silversmith's art.
Keller's reputation rested firmly on his exceptional craftsmanship and
uncompromising standards of quality. Each piece that left his workshop reflected
hundreds of hours of meticulous labor, from the precise shaping of components to
the flawless finishing that gave his silver its characteristic luminous quality.
He worked exclusively in 950 sterling silver, an alloy containing 95% pure
silver that offered both superior radiance and durability compared to more
common standards. This choice of material alone distinguished his work as being
among the finest produced during this golden age of French silversmithing.
The technical mastery evident in Keller's work extended to every aspect of
production. His pieces demonstrate perfect balance and proportion, with each
functional element - whether a handle, spout, or hinge - engineered for both
beauty and utility. His engraving work displayed particular virtuosity,
featuring elaborate floral motifs, geometric patterns, and textured surfaces
that showcased his complete command of traditional decorative techniques. Unlike
mass-produced silverware, each Keller creation was individually handcrafted to
meet exacting standards, resulting in pieces that were as much works of art as
they were functional objects.
Serving European Royalty:
This exceptional quality attracted the
attention of Europe's most discerning patrons. Keller enjoyed significant royal
patronage, with his clientele including French aristocrats, international
nobility from Russia and Britain, and the newly wealthy industrialists of the
Gilded Age. These elite collectors commissioned bespoke services featuring
personalized elements such as monograms, coats of arms, and custom designs
tailored to their specific tastes. The ability to satisfy such exacting clients
speaks volumes about Keller's reputation during his lifetime and his position at
the apex of French luxury craftsmanship.
Awards and Accolades:
Keller's preeminence in his field was
formally recognized through numerous prestigious awards and honors. Most
notably, he received the Grand Prix at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris,
the highest possible accolade for craftsmanship and design. This triumph was
complemented by gold and silver medals at various international exhibitions, all
of which served to confirm his status as one of France's leading silversmiths.
His membership in elite organizations such as the Société des Artistes Français
further cemented his professional standing and connected him to the most
influential circles of the decorative arts world.
The Art Deco Movement:
As artistic styles evolved in the early 20th
century, Keller demonstrated remarkable adaptability by embracing the emerging
Art Deco movement while maintaining his exacting standards of craftsmanship. The
1920s and 1930s saw him produce some of his most innovative work, particularly
in the form of magnificent soup tureens that perfectly captured the Art Deco
aesthetic. These pieces represented a masterful synthesis of traditional
silversmithing techniques with bold modernist design principles, featuring
geometric symmetry, stepped forms, and streamlined silhouettes that reflected
the machine-age sensibility of the period.
Keller's Art Deco soup tureens stand as masterpieces of the genre,
combining avant-garde design with practical functionality. Their architectural
precision and clean lines marked a dramatic departure from the flowing organic
forms of earlier periods, yet they retained the luxurious materials and flawless
execution that defined Keller's work. Some incorporated contrasting materials
such as ivory or ebony for handles and accents, creating striking visual
counterpoints to the gleaming silver surfaces. Despite their modernist
appearance, these pieces remained supremely functional, with carefully
considered weight distribution and ergonomic handles that ensured comfortable
use.
Keller’s Legacy:
Today, Gustave Keller's legacy endures among
collectors and connoisseurs of fine silver. While his name may not enjoy the
immediate recognition of some contemporaries, his work continues to command
respect and admiration in the world of decorative arts. His pieces appear in
major museum collections, command premium prices at auction, and remain
cherished heirlooms in private collections. The Art Deco soup tureens in
particular have become iconic representations of both Keller's personal
achievement and the broader excellence of French silversmithing during this
transformative period.
Gustave Keller's career represents a remarkable synthesis of tradition and
innovation in the decorative arts. His ability to maintain the highest standards
of craftsmanship while adapting to changing aesthetic currents demonstrates both
technical mastery and artistic vision. The 950-sterling silver Art Deco soup
tureens that stand among his greatest achievements perfectly encapsulate this
duality - they are at once thoroughly modern in conception yet timeless in their
execution, serving as enduring testaments to the enduring power of skilled
craftsmanship. For collectors and historians alike, Keller's work continues to
represent the pinnacle of French silversmithing, where luxury, artistry, and
functionality meet in perfect harmony.
Keller Art Deco Soup / Stew Tureen:
This magnificent 3-piece art deco serving
tureen is a stunning example of the quality and craftsmanship for which Keller
was internationally known. The
tureen with presentation platter measures an astounding 25.00 cm. high to the
top of the lid, 31.00 cm. in length to the tips of the handles, 20.00 cm. across
at its widest point and weights an amazing 4,535 grams, with the presentation
platter. It is stamped with the French Government’s Head of the Minerva 1
Hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver as well as the Keller
manufacturers sterling silver hallmark and is stamped “G. Keller Paris” on the
underside. The tureen itself, without the presentation platter measures an
astounding 19.00 cm. high to the top of the lid, 31.00 cm. in length to the tips
of the handles, 20.00 cm. across at its widest point and weights an amazing
2,660 grams. It is stamped with the French Government’s Head of the Minerva 1
Hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver as well as the Keller
manufacturers sterling silver hallmark and is stamped “G. Keller Paris” on the
underside. The presentation platter measures an astounding 40.00 cm. in length,
31.00 cm. across at its widest point and weights an amazing 1,875 grams. It is
stamped with the French government's Head of the Minerva 1 Hallmark, certifying
a minimum of 950 sterling silver as well as the Keller manufacturers sterling
silver hallmark and is stamped “G. Keller Paris” on the underside. The piece
comes with its own anti-tarnish storage wrap for easy storage.
