Empress Eugénie Silver Picnic Set John Samuel Hunt Hallmarked London, 1864 with French import marks This monumental 32-piece English silver picnic set, housed in its original oak box, is exceptional not only in its elegant design but also for its imperial provenance. Meticulously crafted by the esteemed London silversmith John Samuel Hunt for Empress Eugénie, it epitomizes her profound influence on French culture and fashion. As the wife of Napoleon III and the last Empress of France, Eugénie was a pivotal figure in the 19th century, renowned for her impeccable taste and trendsetting elegance. Her impact extended beyond fashion to art and design, fostering a cultural renaissance in France. This picnic set reflects her commitment to luxury and sophistication. Picnics, dating back to medieval hunting feasts, were revived and formalized by the Victorians by Queen Victoria herself. Across the Channel, artists such as Monet, Manet, Cézanne and Renoir celebrated the pleasures of dining outdoors. Empress Eugénie, clearly captivated by this pastime, commissioned the esteemed John Samuel Hunt to create an exquisite Royal Napoleonic picnic set for her dear friend and supporter, Baron Brolin. The opulent set includes an array of finely crafted silver items, each elegantly monogrammed with "BB" for Baron Brolin and crown engravings. Housed in its original oak box with brass fittings, the set features distinctive 16-point crown finials and gilded interiors. The craftsmanship is marked by Hunt's historical connection to Paul Storr, as indicated by the stamps of “Hunt & Roskell/Late/Storr & Mortimer.” John Samuel Hunt, the nephew of Storr, assisted him from the start and continued as a partner until Storr’s death. Mortimer & Hunt succeeded Storr, which was in turn succeeded by Hunt & Roskell. The inscription on the brass plaque, "A mon tenant préféré Baron Brolin avec ma reconnaissance sincère, Eugenie," translates to "To my favorite tenant Baron Brolin with my sincere gratitude, Eugenie." This remarkable set thus evokes a unique blend of royal significance and exquisite craftsmanship, making it a truly one-of-a-kind treasure from the Empress. 15" high x 25 3/4" wide x 14 7/8" deep Provenance: The private collection of Baron Brolin M.S. Rau, New Orleans Red McCombs Collection, Texas M.S. Rau, New Orleans The 32-piece set includes: 2 oval meat dishes with cover and platter 2 round vegetable dishes with cover and platter 1 hot water kettle 1 teapot 1 locking tea caddy with key 1 creamer 1 sugar bowl with gilt interior 1 sugar tongs 1 mustard pot 1 mustard spoon with gilt bowl 1 glass bowl and a silver cover and stand 1 waste container 1 toast rack 1 butter knife 4 salts 4 salt spoons