EDGAR MORGAN (1842-1900)

EDGAR MORGAN (1842-1900) Jewelled hare-shaped cane handle, 19th century The cane handle carved in nephrite jade (?) in the shape of a hare, the eyes set with two red gems, wearing a necklace also paved with red gems, and decorated with a seed pearl, on a rose quartz base, red guilloché enamel and silver-gilt mount French hallmark: ‘crab’ H. 10 cm in its original case with the name and address of the goldsmith Edgar Morgan was a great name in Parisian jewellery and his reputation spread far beyond France. His jewellery cases show that he was based at 17, Rue de la Paix in Paris, a coveted address well known to the great jewellers. In 1886, Edgar Morgan took over the workshop of Eugène Bassot, a diamond and pearl merchant based at this address. Known for offering top-quality jewellery, Edgar Morgan seems to have had Fabergé eggs for his clientele. He made the crown for the Solemn Coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1895 for the Archbishop of Mexico, the Pope's representative. He later opened a boutique in Nice, at 10 Avenue Masséna.