A Sycamore Art Nouveau Tea- and Coffee Service - Orfevrerie Gallia, 1904

A rare silver-plated coffee and tea set from the Art Nouveau period, from the "Sycamore" line, which was designed in 1904 for Orfevrerie Gallia. Decorated with a beautiful motif of Sycamore tree propeller seeds. In excellent, almost brand-new condition, a rarity.

Coffee pot height: 21cm
Teapot height: 12.5cm
Sugar bowl height: 9.5cm

Marked on the underside of the pots with [Goat's head in rhombus inside square for Manufacture de L'Alfenide][Rooster in shield above "Gallia Metal"][4643]. These were the earliest Gallia hallmarks, in use from c. 1900. The last number is the production number.

France, c. 1904.

The "Orfevrerie Gallia" was founded in the late 19th century in the factory of Manufacture de L'Alfenide, a subsidiary of Christofle led by Félix Chéron. It derived its name from the copper and tin alloy that was patented in the late 19th century and would be used as the base material for all its products. The major advantage of this was that it could be cast, a process that entailed lower costs and was not possible with the "Metal Blanc" alloy used as standard by Christofle. However, due to the lower production costs, Gallia had the budget to hire renowned designers for its own lines as well (including Luc Lanel and Maurice Dufrêne). Thanks to the splendid design and lower selling prices, many of their products became resounding successes. The firm was allowed to chart its own course and operate in the market under the umbrella of Christofle. In 1935, it was incorporated into the parent company and no longer operated autonomously, although the Gallia name continued to be used well into the 1960s.