VERMEIL TULIP TIMBALE AND SPOON ON PEDESTAL BY FRANÇOIS-AUGUSTE BOYER-CALLOT, 1853-1881 The kettledrum is decorated with an engraved cartouche of flowers and fruit, engraved with the numeral N under an imperial crown. Goldsmith: François-Auguste BoyerCallot, Paris 1853-1881 Slight deformation Timbale : Weight : 185 g - Height : 13 cm Spoon: Weight: 45 g - Length: 18 cm This vermeil timbale by François-Auguste Boyer-Callot, active in Paris from 1853 to 1881, decorated with the crowned imperial cipher of Napoleon III (1808-1873), is in the tradition of gifts offered to godchildren of the Empire. Under the Second Empire, the Emperor and the imperial family accepted to be godparents to children, often from deserving families, military personnel, civil servants or notables. On this occasion, it was customary to offer a piece of vermeil silverware, such as a kettledrum or goblet, engraved with the imperial cipher. In addition to its usual function, the object was a symbol of honor, imperial protection and social advancement, preserved for life as a memento of this prestigious patronage. Given by an anonymous donor.