19th Century French set of twelve silver dinner plates, each of shaped-circular form with ovolo borders. Engraved with the important Melzi family crest (Francesco Melzi, c.1491-1568/70 was an Italian painter born into a family of the Milanese nobility in Lombardy. He was a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci). Each plate is hallmarked French silver (950 standard, used 1838-present), Paris, Marks for Odiot (Jean-Baptiste-Gustave Odiot, makers mark used 1825-1894), each base stamped "ODIOT A PARIS", and inventory numbers.

La Maison Odiot, or House of Odiot was founded in 1690 by Jean-Baptiste Gaspard Odiot, fine silversmith during the reign of Louis XV. However it was with his grandson, Jean Baptiste Claude Odiot (born in 1763) that the firm reached its peak of notoriety, receiving exceptional commissions from Napoleon’s court and the most important Royal families of the world.

In 1802 the firm participated at the International Exposition de l’Industrie in Paris winning the gold medal. Soon after, Odiot succeeded Henry Auguste as Napoleon’s official silversmith and was commissioned both the sceptre and the sword for his coronation in 1804, two massive dinner services for Napoleon’s mother and sister and one for the Emperor’s campaigns.

Condition: perfect

Dimensions: 27cm wide, 2cm high

Weight: 6670 grams