Gorgeous Antique French Sterling Silver 18pc Flatware Set, Empire Torch & Quiver Pattern

Absolutely exquisite & rare antique French sterling silver 18pc flatware set, a 3pc table setting for six with a beautifully ornate Classical or Empire style pattern with crossed torch & quiver, sinuous foliate vines or tendrils, large interlaced "BB" monograms and all in wonderful condition! Thick & heavy old French sterling silver and the style is undeniably stunning. The set includes luncheon or entremet sized knives, forks and spoons for an intimate six person gathering. All pieces have French hallmarks.  The forks & spoons bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, 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 are for Edouard Ernie, Paris circa 1882.  The knives are quite a bit older with .800 or finer blades (at least 80% pure solid silver) and, while I haven't found the silversmith for them, the "Coq" mark dates between 1809-1819.  Not uncommon to find a set with slightly mismatched knives as they were generally never given along with a gift of flatware (explained below).  A glorious set here , perfect to spruce up your fine dining table ensemble. Enjoy!

A traditional wedding gift, these magnificent French sterling silver flatware sets were almost always packaged without knives. Why is this? Another French tradition has to do with the gift of knives or a knife as a symbol of the cutting or ending of a relationship. And no where on earth is tradition more important, perhaps, than to the French culture. So, in light of the symbolism of the gift, knives were not part of a wedding gift, not packaged or even usually made with the matching pattern of the forks, spoons in a set, and are something added later and as compliments to the table's sterling silver choice. And ever the center influence in fashion, this also opportuned the happy result of knives made in coordinating and complimenting fashion with handles. The result is that you can add sets of knives to compliment and define your table setting. 

Very good condition. Slight surface scuffs, indicative of light use over the past 100 or so years. The knives are not original to the flatware, as described above, but go beautifully with them. A tiny bent knife tip or two.  See pictures for all weights and measurements.