In the finest French traditions, one would have a water and evening drink set available at bedside, both for guests of the Chateau or 'hotel', as a home is known, and as well for the master's chambers. Those evening refreshment sets are called 'bonne nuit' or, literally, 'good night'. It's getting rarer to find these old bonne nuit sets complete, as many have lost the tumbler (timbale) or the under plate, or the flask (flacon) fitted into the larger decanter opening, serving as both stopper for the larger water decanter, and also holder for an aperitif or small 'nip' of flavored liqueur. A charming tradition and a fabulous antique to slightly vintage set to use in your own evening's 'go to bed' ritual. The set shown here has wonderfully faceted wheel cut blown glass of fine quality, the silver with a bead festooned pattern. All silver parts bear the French Minerve #1 hallmark, French control and guarantee of the .950/1000 pure silver so above the .925 standard for "sterling" silver. The silversmith marks are for Ernest Prost, Paris circa 1923-1930s. Opulent! You'll want to have your own set, and this is a nice one.
Very good to excellent for age and type, this set is complete as you see it. The set consists of an under plate, base or tray, fitted decanter that holds about a pint of fluid or so, the inset flask that holds approximately one 'jigger' of liqueur, and the matching glass or tumbler (timbale). No chips or cracks in any of the glass, the stopper of the inset flask appears to be a replacement but fits well. A wonderful set - ambiance and then some! See pictures for all measurements.
