A large Louis XV early 18th century French silver sugar caster, Paris 1727-28 by Jacques Filassier (reg. 23rd Aug 1718) of octagonal baluster form with a bayonet fitted cylindrical and domed lid, surmounted by a rosette knop finial. The foot, girdle, and upper rim with a guilloche band. The body with flat chased decoration of to the upper section alternating panels of lozenge and annulet trellises with strapwork scrolls and foliate quatrefoils, the lower section the same but with stylised scallop shells, the foot with harebells and strapwork. The lid with pierced and flat chased panels of a quatrefoil within stylised acanthus leaves and foliate scrolls, all interspersed with flat chased trailing harebells against a textured ground. The upper section with pierced and engraved foliate forms below a cast terrace of scallop shells and scrolls against a textured ground. The front cartouche engraved with an English late 18th century crest of a demi-lion rampant with a pheon between the paws, all above mirrored initials CC in flourished cursive script. Marked to the foot rim exterior with discharge of Jacques Cottin for medium sized pieces (reg. 1st Dec 1726), the base of the interior with date letter L crowned (13th Aug 1727 to 11th Aug 1728), maker’s mark IF with hammer device twice to the base side interior, twice to the interior of upper section, four times to the interior base of the lid, charge marking seemingly lacking. The upper section interior with later discharge mark of Antoine Leschaudel (active 1st Oct 1744 – 1st Oct 1750). 959 standard. Height – 23.5 cm / 9.25 inches Weight – 736 grams / 23.66 ozt The crest is for Thistlethwayte A baluster sugar caster of 1719 by the same maker was sold Sotheby’s Paris, 18 April 2012, Lot 41 (€51, 150 incl. prem) A baluster sugar caster of 1724 by the same maker was sold Christie’s Paris, 8 April 2002, lot 68 (€24,675 incl. prem) A baluster caster of 1719 this maker is illustrated in Nocq, H. et Alfassa, P.; Guerin, J. (1927), Orfèvrerie Civile Française du 16e au début du 19e siècle, Paris: Editions Albert Levy, Librairie Centrale des Beaux-Arts, Planche XII, C. A pair of large sugar caster of similar form of 1728-29 by Nicholas Besnier, also marked to the interior walls and base like the present lot is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession umber: 38.164.3a, b) Grand saupoudoir baluster en argent, épogue Louis XV, Paris 1727-28 par Jacques Filassier (fils de maître, fut reçu en 1718)