RARE! Antique French STERLING Silver Boulenger Flatware Set

Collectibles : Silver, Sterling

 

This is the third set of Boulenger sterling flatware I ever came across, and the only one with knives included! In itself, a relative rarity to find a French flatware set with matching knives. The set comprises a six piece place setting for six: 36 pieces. All fully marked with the Boulenger poincon, and the Mercury 1st titre, indicating the silver to 950/1000. The fineness guarantee mark was introduced in 1879 for items made to export. Decoration is Louis XVI: The fluted stems are crossed with ribbons and flare at the base into large ovoid cartouches, topped with highly decorative bows, bound in a banded circuit also crossed with ribbons, and with scrolling acanthus at the bottom. The backs are marked with interlacing script monogram "LG". At the back, where the the fluted banded handle is topped with a matching bow. This is a very elegant flatware set, of high quality, bearing the mark of the legendary name of Boulenger. Combined weight is over 2247 grams!

Please see photos for dimensions. Each place setting includes dinner sized forks and spoons (which are larger than American silver tableware), entremet of dessert size spoon and fork, and a dinner and dessert/entremet sized knife. The smaller knife has a sterling blade. The dinner knife has the original blade! And condition is quite good. Light signs of use and, particularly noteworthy, the original steel blades are nearly free of oxidation. The set must have been well protected across time. Estimated age is late 1800's, early 1900's.

Item ID: 621