Sem

1930 · réf. 21051 — Maxim's: Paris. Pillivuyt: Berry area France: Pillivuyt A. Simon Pillivuyt 1930. Fine. Humorous porcelain ashtray from the legendary Maxim's arguably the most famous restaurant in the world for much of the 20th century decorated with the funny caricature of a smiling hardworking coat check valet his arms draped with piles of furs his hands balancing a plethora of top hats and canes. Maxim's was a culinary monument to the Belle Epoque with its sumptuous Art Nouveau design and sensibility a scene Sem was closely associated with and Sem did many a memorable splashing illustration of the habitues of Maxim's as they wined dined and peacocked in the restaurant. N.d. circa 1930. Measuring 13.5 by 8.5 cm at the longest and widest. A. Simon is a French china wholesaler and retailer going back to the 1880s and still in business. It was and is particularly well-known as a supplier to hotels and restaurants. We believe that A. Simon actually acquired Pillivuyt in the 1940s and this might suggest a later date for the ashtray but it isn't dispositive. Still our earlier dating is certainly not something we can state with complete confidence. We can safely say the ashtray is mid-20th century however. Pillivuyt [A. Simon Pillivuyt] unknown