Fabulous antique French Napoleon III era sterling silver 5pc meat & salad serving set including 13" carving knife, 11" fork with stag or deer figure, gigot and 11" fork & spoon salad service pair! Beautiful, thick hexagonal handles with guilloche style engraved decoration and acanthus caps & collars (viroles). 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 there but no completely legible so I can't be certain. The last set we had with this same handle pattern was marked for Coignet (Plasait, succ.) 9 Place des Voyages, Paris circa 1889-1893. 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. Even the box is in great shape! See pictures for all individual weights and measurements.
