Unique and rare antique French hallmarked sterling silver 7pc travel gastronomy(?) kit with saucier or sauce pot, lidded seasonings(?) box or etui with inner divider and 2pc mystery piece :) ! OK, this is definitely an odd collection and my guess is that it was intended to be a travel sauce mixing pot, the upper lidded portion with 18k gold vermeil lined interior and removable compartment/divider would have held seasonings perhaps? Likely nestled within a larger travel ensemble, held in an opulently fitted campaign style chest. The pot itself small with a carved side handle, single serving size, complete with lid and turned finial. The exterior of both the pot and upper etui rims graced with acanthus or laurel garland, the front of the pot and lid with large engraved interlaced monograms that appear to be "MH" or "HM". All pieces bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the tiny number "1" within those marks means they're all in .950 silver (95% pure so above the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). The bottom of the pot marked "Appay - Paris", surely the Parisan retailer and the silversmith marks are most likely for Joseph Alexandre Martel, Paris circa 1888-1914. Fabulous, rare, unique, don't miss it!
Very good condition. Some faint surface marks/scuffs, indicative of age but no dents, damage or repairs to note. There may have been more of the removable compartments/segments within the vermeil lined upper box/etui, only one remains. I'm at a loss as to what the smaller round piece would have been, most likely a heater that would have had a wick and filled with heating oil. See images for weight and measurements.
