Fabulous antique French Napoleon III era sterling silver 7pc serving implement set including 15 3/8" carving knife, 11" meat fork with pheasant or game hen figure, gigot, fish knife & fork AND fork & spoon salad service pair! Beautiful, thick weighted handles with cattail & scrolling acanthus decoration. The French Minerve or MInerva hallmark on all handles, 1st titre designating .950 silver content (95% pure so higher than the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). Silversmith marks are for Alphonse Debain, Paris circa 1883-1911. The knife blade is marked "Acier Fondu AD Caranti". All beautifully kept in the original fitted presentation case, a wonderful addition to any fine sterling silver dinner service!
Very good to excellent condition. The set is over 100 years old so there will be some signs of use and age but, as you can see, all pieces here are very near pristine with all things considered. Pre-stainless steel on the carving knife blade so there is some age tarnish and/or corrosion marks. Original French celluloid on the salad serving pair (with a bit of age darkening visible) and the other pieces have silver-plated blades. Even the box is in great shape! The gilt embossed label inside the box lid reads "J. Peret & Neveu, Clermont-Ferrand". See pictures for all individual weights and measurements.
