103334 | SPAIN & FRANCE. Turia River silver Plaque.

103334  |  SPAIN & FRANCE. Turia River silver Plaque. Issued 1907 by the Société Lyonnaise des Eaux et de l'Éclairage for the supply of the river's water to Valencia (43mm x 70mm, 96.70 g, 12h). By Octave-Denis-Victor Guillonnet for Maison Stern in Paris.

 

Facing complex statue of Neptune atop a watering marine quadriga; nude attendants in foreground, with torch and spouting fish; above, ornate framework with angel cradling nude male reclining right; in two lines in exergue, SOCIETE LYONNAISE DES EAUX ET DE L'ECLAIRAGE / MDCCCLXXX // SOCIEDAD / DE AGVAS POTABLES / Y MEJORAS / DE VALENCIA in four lines above inset ornate plaque decorated with flowering fruits and "RECVERDO / DEL NVEVO / ABASTECIMIENTO / A LA CIVDAD DE VALENCIA / DE AGVAS DEL TVRIA / FILTRADAS Y CRISTALINAS / DE ALTA PRESION / MCMVII" in eight lines. Edge: ARGENT and two hallmarks.

 

Crusafont 1035; cf. Silich II, 615 (for obv.). Choice Mint State. Gunmetal gray toning, with splendid matte surfaces. A wondrous Beaux-Arts issue.

 

The Société Lyonnaise des eaux et de l'éclairage (SLEE) was founded in 1880 and quickly grew to a major provider and distributor of water not only throughout France, but also regionally, as this plaque for Valencia indicates. In particular, the new water supply from the Turia River was now filtered and crystal clear, all while being provided at high pressure.

 

Upload: 19 December 2025.

 

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