Gorgeous antique French Napoleon III era 18k gold on hallmarked solid .800 (nearly sterling) silver "vermeil" 12pc coffee or tea spoon set in original gilt embossed black leather casket or box, ornate pattern and all in wonderful condition! A beautiful set, all virtually dripping in gold. Called vermeil, the French most often used 18k gold to plate these old silver pieces and, while we haven't tested these, we're confident that is the case here. The spoon bowls in the old style with pointed tips, the tops of the handles with an ornate pattern consisting of foliate shapes & acanthus and there are convex cartouches or medallions with "AM" monograms on one side. Quite unique, definitely attractive! The set kept in what is most likely the original storage and/or presentation case. Opulent black leatherette with gold embossed decoration and a clasp with "JM Depose" inscribed on it. The interior with the original red silk or satin, nearly as wonderful as the golden treasures inside! The spoon bowls all bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the outer shape and tiny number "2" within means they're in .800 or better silver content (at least 80% pure so just under the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). There are also tiny diamond shaped silversmith marks on the handle stems of "NV" though I haven't found a definitive reference yet. Will add when I do.
Very good to excellent condition. A bit of wear to the gold plating visible on some of the raised decoration and a faint bend possible on the handle stems. The box is in great shape, as you can see in the images. See pictures for measurements and silver weight.