Bidspirit auction | Set of 24 antique French

Set of 24 antique French .950 silver forks from the 19th century (circa 1850), designed in the Louis XVI Revival style, produced by the renowned Parisian silversmith house Eugène Queillé, bearing original French maker’s marks (Poinçon de Maître) alongside the official French Minerva Head hallmark, confirming solid French silver of .950 fineness under official government control. - Set of 24 antique French .950 silver forks from the 19th century (circa 1850), designed in the Louis XVI Revival style, produced by the renowned Parisian silversmith house Eugène Queillé, bearing original French maker’s marks (Poinçon de Maître) alongside the official French Minerva Head hallmark, confirming solid French silver of .950 fineness under official government control. The set reflects the elegant Louis XV / Louis XVI Revival aesthetic with strong French Rococo Revival influences, a style highly fashionable among the Parisian aristocracy and upper bourgeoisie during the Napoleon III period. The design combines refined neoclassical symmetry with rich decorative ornamentation characteristic of prestigious French silverware of the mid-to-late 19th century. Each fork is executed with elegant elongated proportions and gracefully curved handles in classic French form. The terminal of each handle is decorated with an engraved monogram enclosed within an ornate oval cartouche featuring beaded borders, foliate motifs, and botanical ornamentation typical of aristocratic French tableware from the period. The craftsmanship is exceptionally refined, with high attention to detail and luxurious finishing associated with custom-made silver services commissioned for wealthy European households and noble families. Total weight: 1917.78 grams. Average weight per fork: approximately 79 grams. On the reverse of each fork appears the lozenge-shaped maker’s mark (P/Q) associated with the Parisian silversmith house of Pierre François Queillé, corresponding to the workshop tradition continued by Eugène Queillé, including the characteristic initials and central workshop symbol. Alongside appears the official French Minerva Head hallmark, introduced in 19th century France for the control and guarantee of silver purity. This hallmark certifies solid French silver of .950/1000 fineness. The lozenge-shaped hallmark further guarantees that the pieces are crafted from solid precious metal rather than silver plate. The Queillé workshop was regarded as one of the distinguished Parisian silver houses of the 19th century, specializing in fine luxury flatware, serving pieces, and high-quality silver objects executed to exceptional artistic and technical standards. Condition: Overall very good condition consistent with age, showing light signs of use, minor surface wear, and natural silver patina. Condition of the items is as shown in the photographs.