Rare French Gallia Art Deco Champagne Bucket

This is a rare find. A stylish silver plated wine or champagne cooler by the top-notch French silversmith, Christofle, as part of the Gallia Collection. The design is by one of the most sought-after designers of the Art Deco era, Luc Lanel. Dating to around 1940 it remains in superb condition. The underside has the full mark for Gallia, the Gallic Cock mark and the 'knight' chess figure in a square box between two letters 'O' and 'C' (which is the abbreviation of the two words 'Orf'vrerie Christofle'). The bucket is in excellent condition with minor wear commensurate with age. Luc Lanel (1893-1966), a ceramist, worked with the architect Jean-Charles Moreux and with Leleu. He was Christofle's artistic director from 1922 to 1942, and created many models for the Christofle catalogue, including the goldsmith's line that equipped the Normandy liner.