Fabulous complete antique French Charles X to Louis Philippe era vermeil or 18k gold on .800 (nearly sterling) silver 15pc tea serving set including 12 teaspoons, teapot strainer, tea scoop & sugar tongs, all beautifully preserved in the original Napoleon III Boulle style brass inlaid rosewood storage and/or presentation box! The first thing you see here is the extent to which the maker or retailer went in the presentation of the contents. A truly superb old box, in deep, richly grained rosewood veneers and accented with brass edging, strip inlays and a large, gorgeous reticulated brass "Boulle" style cartouche. Beautiful! Inside are an equally opulent collection of old French vermeil implements, the complete tea service to compliment your existing tray, pot, and elegant old French Limoges cups & saucers (dripping with raised gold enamel for sure). The French Minerve or Minerva hallmark on all pieces, the tiny number "2" within them designating .800 or better silver content so their not quite at the .925 standard for sterling but solid silver nonetheless. The silversmith marks are for Antoine Vautrain (Plasait successor), Paris circa 1824-1844. An exquisite addition to your existing fine silver service or French vermeil tea set!
Very good condition. The exterior of the box shows hardly a sign of its age, a few small surface marks likely and one slight lift of the brass strip inlay. No missing or replaced inlays that I can see though, beautiful! Original fitted interior and linings but there is some spot staining in one or two areas. No damage or repairs to any of the silver though, all as pristine as can be with just a bit of wear to the gold/vermeil plating! Original hardware & lock but no key. See pictures for measurements.
