Your chance to own an historic place setting! President of France, (died c.1899 in office) Felix Faure Gorgeous antique French 18k gold plated "vermeil" on hallmarked sterling silver 4pc flatware set, a 3pc setting for one with sugar tongs and all with a highly ornate pattern! Vermeil was generally used for dessert pieces in larger flatware sets, these pieces entremet or luncheon sized with a smaller teaspoon and, of course, the matching sugar tongs so could be dessert pair with teaspoon and tongs for accompanying tea or coffee. Simply stunning! The raised belt encircled medallions frame what appears to be "LF" or "FL" monograms with the "L" inverted(?). All pieces bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the tiny number "1" in the upper right corner of those marks means they're in .950 silver (95% pure and above the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). The silversmith marks are for Eugène François Queillé, Paris circa 1847-1874.
NOTE the HISTORY: Set belonged to French President, Felix Faure. GREAT story behind these!
"French President Félix Faure (30 January 1841 – 16 February 1899) died in office while getting a bj from his mistress.". His tomb in Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris is one of the most visited, a full life-size bronze of him lies in repose on top. People have rubbed the crotch for luck to the point it is bare bronze and shining bright against the verdigris of the figure overall. (sorry - but it's the history). A Fascinating set, we sold a large set of it earlier and I'd kept just this place setting for myself then. You see his crest with his initials, FF. You'll want to read about him. Fascinating historic set!
Very good to excellent condition. Possibly a small 'push' to the rounded edge of one handle and very, very faint vermeil fading if at all. 200 grams or 6.43 troy ounces total weight. See images for all weights and measurements.
