Pair of silver torches. Shaft with knot, umbilicus decorated - Lot 102

Pair of silver torches. Shaft with knot, umbilicus decorated with an applied leafy garland and engraved with a coat of arms under a marquis crown. Contoured base decorated with ribboned fillets. Marks : Master Goldsmith: Alexis Loir, received master in Paris in 1733. Letter date: "N" for 1753. Discharge: Paris, 1750-1756. Discharge: Paris, "ouvrages vieux", 1750-1756. Height: 25 cm - Weight: 1.39 kg With the coat of arms of the Marquis de Galard-Terraube These torches, similar models of which were made by Alexis Loir (Sale : Paris, Fraysse, April 3, 2002, no. 89), have no apparent loading mark, but in addition to the usual discharge, they have another discharge mark, rarely used for "ouvrages vieux gros". François-Saturnin de Galard, 4th Marquis de Terraube (1731-1805). He took part in the wars during the reign of Louis XV. He undertook the construction of new buildings at Château de Terraube, which, with the exception of a few modifications in the 19th century, gave it its final appearance. During the French Revolution, he emigrated in 1790, and his possessions were confiscated and sold as national property. He returned to France under the Empire, in 1802. He died in Lectoure on December 28, 1805 (5 nivose de l'an XIV). Bibliography: Georges Martin, Histoire et généalogie de la Maison de Galard, 1984.