Absolutely gorgeous vintage French 18k gold âvermeilâ on hallmarked sterling silver 13pc vanity set including seven cut crystal jars & bottles, five brushes and a vanity or hand mirror, all with an ornate guilloche style machined pattern, bead festooned bordering and wonderful condition! All thirteen pieces bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the tiny number "1" within those marks designates them as being in at least .950 silver (95% pure so above the .925 standard for "sterling" silver. Tiny diamond shaped silversmith marks are visible on most also and show a winged bust of a cherub flanked by "JM", they would be for the silversmith Jules Matfeux de Cevannes, 17 rue Meslay, Paris circa 1921 (so borderline antique). Thick & heavy French silver though, these are rather heavy compared to other silver vanity brush sets we've had in the past. There are three vermeil sterling covered jars, three perfume or cologne bottles of the same size and a uniquely massive jar, all with wheel cut crystal bodies, stoppers where applicable and all crowned by those majestic gilded silver tops! Made to last in style, and fabulous condition, as evidenced by our pictures. A truly magnificent vanity set and rare to be so comprehensive! An elegant decorative addition to an opulent bath or dressing table ensemble! A set you'll love to own and show off so maybe displayed in the guest or main bath? Love them!
Very good-excellent condition. No dents, damage or repairs to the silver and all of the brushes' bristles are original and in great shape (just sanitized, too). The only flaw to them are the few darkened surface marks visible in the images and some age wear or fading to the gold in some places. The original beveled mirror is intact and only has a few minor surface scuffs. I donât even see any chips to any of the jars or bottles, amazing! See pictures for all individual measurements.
