Edme-Pierre BALZAC (1710-1781), PARIS, for Mademoiselle de M - Lot 155

Edme-Pierre BALZAC (1710-1781), PARIS, for Mademoiselle de Martainville Pair of 958 thousandths silver torches, of the pans model, resting on an octagonal base with crossbows, moldings and doucins; the bell with fillets. The shaft and spigot have springs, pans and threaded moldings. Hallmark of the Master-Goldsmith EBP flower and two grains, Master-Goldsmith Edme-Pierre Balzac, received in 1739. Paris 1746-1747, discharge mark hare current 1744-1750, Re-punched Minerve between 1838 and 1973 Under the base engraving "Mdlle de Martainville". The bell is engraved with a young girl's coat of arms under a marquis's crown. Height 23cm Unit weight 445.60g and 426.96g Weight: 872.56g Minor dents and deformations Edme-Pierre Balzac (1705-after 1781) completed his apprenticeship in Gien with the silversmith Jacques Bompart. On July 4, 1739, on payment of the office fee, he was appointed "orfèvre privilégié suivant la cour" by sentence of the Grand Prévôt de France. On August 28, 1739, he had two hallmarks inscribed for gold and silver (letters EP/B and a cinquefoil). On January 7, 1749, he ceded his privilege to his brother Jean-François, and was awarded the title of Master Goldsmith of Paris, paying 6,000 livres. Initially domiciled on the Pont au Change, he moved to a larger workshop on rue de la Barillerie, where he could install his many machines and passions. The workshop was active and prosperous, and production was extremely diversified. He was an enterprising man. On July 19, 1756, the Affiches de Paris announced his invention of a lathe for making flat dishes with seamless contours. In 1766, he added to this invention a "machine for printing flatware with fillets". In 1768, backed by a limited partnership he had formed with he formed with the Thelusson bank, he produced one-twelfth of all Parisian silverware. He relied on his son-in-law, Claude-Pierre Deville, and was still able to participate in the execution of the Orloff service, subcontracting to the Roëttiers. Total silver weight 872.56g Shock and deformation to both bases