Fabulous antique French 1819-1838 Louis XVIII to Louis Philippe era sterling silver 24pc dinner sized flatware set, a 4pc table setting for SIX with "fiddle thread" or double "Filet" pattern, engraved crown topped armorial style crests or familial heraldry and wonderful condition! Gorgeous and nearly 200 years old! All but the knives with the royal crests that include a French marquis coronet or crown, elaborate quartered shield and lion rampant "supporter" at the left side. The crests likely symbolize the union or marriage of royal families, hence the quartered shield. The forks & spoons all bear the French Michel-Ange or Michelangelo & Ceres hallmarks, the tiny number "1" within those marks means they're in .950 silver (95% pure and higher than the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). The silversmith marks on all except one fork are for Maître Orfèvre Laurent LABBE of Paris circa 1829-1852. The main hallmark on the set is the Poinçon Au Vieillard or Poinçon Michel-Ange (Michelangelo) 1st title – Paris 1819-1838 so they narrow down the dates of manufacture to c. 1829-1838. One fork appears to be a later replacement, has the same pattern and armorial crest but post-1838 Minerve and silversmith marks for E. Maitreau, Bordeaux. The knives are not original to the set but compliment them beautifully and would be of a similar style to those used. The blades are all marked "Jules Piault", another prominent French silversmith. A beautiful table setting for six, don't miss them!
Excellent condition. As noted, the knives are not original to the forks & spoons and are a bit later additions to the sterling pieces (giving knives was something just not done Forks & spoons alone have a total weight of 35.1 troy ounces or 1092 grams. See images for individual weights and measurements.
