Exceptional & rare antique French solid sterling silver 17" tall 82oz kettle or samovar with ornate ribbed body, laurel, ribbon & bow side handles, carved spigot & turned feet and Classical or Empire style scrolled acanthus accenting! These larger kettles or samovar pieces are really quite rare, especially when they are entirely in hallmarked old French sterling silver. This one even has the original heater unit in the base with matching ribbed style. Simply gorgeous! Marked in several pieces with the post-1838 French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the number "1" within those marks means all parts are in .950 silver content (95% pure so above the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). The silversmith marks are for Georges Falkenberg, Paris circa 1894-1928. Magnificent! And, if you'll look at the final image of the listing, you see that we currently have a 2pc coffee and tea pot set with the same ribbed or fluted body style (only slightly different in style with the bead festooning rather than the laurel garland bands that this one has). Close enough to use and display as a set though for sure!
Very good to excellent condition. Possibly a tiny dimple or two but I see no larger dents, damage or repairs to note here. Thick, overly heavy old sterling silver, the piece has a total weight of 68.2 troy ounces or 2122 grams! I did notice that the finial is slightly tilted but will have that straightened before sending out. The heater unit in the base is complete but missing any sort of inner wick. See pictures for all measurements.
