Antique French Sterling Silver 39 Piece Flatware Set, Knives, Gold Vermeil

Description

Exquisite antique French Louis XVIII to Louis Philippe era sterling silver 39-piece flatware service. Housed in the original presentation box. … more Exquisite antique French Louis XVIII to Louis Philippe era sterling silver 39-piece flatware service. Housed in the original presentation box. Made of .950 silver, a higher grade than sterling, the set is richly enhanced in gold vermeil finish. The handles in a 'Kings' pattern featuring a lovely shell motif, classical fiddle & thread design accented with rosettes and foliate. Emanating from the backs of the handles into the bowls of the spoons and tines with coquille shell detail. No monograms.

The service comprises of (12) forks measuring 7", (12) spoons measuring 7 1/4", (12) knives measuring 7 5/8". Together with a sugar sifter spoon (8 1/2" length ) and two serving spoons (8 1/2" length). Total silver weight is 2267.9 grams.

This incredible set is fully hallmarked. Hallmarked with the Michel Ange or Michelangelo / Vieillard 1st standard silver mark (.950) and guarantee mark for Paris 1819-1838. Bearing silversmith's mark for Francois-Dominique Naudin, in use from 1800-1840. Naudin was an important Parisian silversmith noted for making very fine flatware. His shop, at 6 Place Dauphine, was very close to La Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité, the island in the center of Paris. Flatware from Naudin's shop would often accompany important services created by Napoleon's imperial silversmith Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot. Russian Tzar Alexander II owned 'Queens' pattern pieces by Naudin. The blades on the knives bear the maker marks of the cutler.

In overall very good antique condition, with general light signs of age and use. There are a couple of scratches to the knife blades commensurate with use. One knife blade is slightly pushed out of the handle, the gap is visible in the images. As mentioned, the set is housed in the original presentation box. The box shows the age, with tears/wear to the green paper lined exterior, patina and age to the brass hardware and latches. Lacking a key to the large lock front. The fitted interior is lined in a brick red colored felt. The box measures 11 5/8" x 9 5/8" x 4" height. less