French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster with pierced dome lid, floral finial, fluted body, and ornate scrollwork.
French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster styled on a wooden table with pastries, blueberries, and powdered sugar.
Close view of the pierced dome lid and floral finial on a French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster.
Detail of the raised scrollwork band and fluted body on a French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster.
Detail of the pedestal foot and floral medallion decoration on a French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster.
Underside of French Gallia sugar caster showing the maker's mark and model 5056.
French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster with pierced dome lid, floral finial, fluted body, and ornate scrollwork.
French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster styled on a wooden table with pastries, blueberries, and powdered sugar.
Close view of the pierced dome lid and floral finial on a French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster.
Detail of the raised scrollwork band and fluted body on a French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster.
Detail of the pedestal foot and floral medallion decoration on a French Gallia silver-plated sugar caster.
Underside of French Gallia sugar caster showing the maker's mark and model 5056.
New Arrival

French Gallia Silver-Plated Sugar Caster, Model 5056

$285.00

Age / Period:

Early 20th century, circa 1908–1929.

Origin / Source:

France.

Measurements:

Approximately 7 inches tall × 3 inches wide at the base.

Material:

Silver-plated metal.

Maker / Markings / Provenance:

Orfèvrerie Gallia, model no. 5056.

The underside retains the Gallia maker’s mark and model number. Gallia used the Gallic rooster as its identifying emblem, a reference to Gaul and the French origins of the line.

Description:

An early 20th-century French silver-plated sugar caster, or saupoudreuse, by Orfèvrerie Gallia, model no. 5056.

The tall baluster-shaped body is softly fluted and ornamented with raised floral details and a broad scrolling band around the lower body. It rests on a small pedestal foot decorated with a floral medallion and is finished with a pierced dome lid and pinecone-form finial.

Made for dusting fine sugar over pastries, fruit, and desserts, the caster gives an ordinary table task the kind of ceremony that makes old French serving pieces so appealing.

Condition:

Excellent antique condition with light surface wear and patina consistent with age and former use. The screw-on lid fits securely and threads smoothly. No major condition concerns noted. The piece presents beautifully.

Historical or Decorative Notes:

Gallia emerged in France around the turn of the 20th century as an innovative line of decorative metalwares associated with Christofle. The Gallic rooster became one of Gallia’s recognizable emblems and appears in the maker’s marks used on its early pieces.

Sugar casters, called saupoudreuses in French and also known as muffineers, were designed to dispense finely powdered or granulated sugar through a pierced lid. Pieces like this were both practical tableware and decorative objects, bringing elaborate silverwork to the serving of pastries, fruit, crêpes, and desserts.

Use & Styling:

Beautiful kept in use on a breakfast or dessert table, particularly with pastries, crêpes, berries, or other sweets.

When not in use, I would leave it out. The tall silhouette, aged silver surface, fluting, and ornate pierced lid give it enough presence to stand beautifully among old ironstone, French pottery, glassware, linens, or collected kitchen pieces.

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