Bidspirit auction | Set of 12 antique French

Set of 12 antique French .950 silver knives from the 19th century (circa 1850), designed in the elegant Louis XVI Revival style, bearing the official French Minerva Head hallmark alongside blades engraved “PARIS.” Total weight: 515.9 grams. - Set of 12 antique French .950 silver knives from the 19th century (circa 1850), designed in the elegant Louis XVI Revival style, bearing the official French Minerva Head hallmark alongside blades engraved “PARIS.” Total weight: 515.9 grams. The set reflects the refined 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. Each knife is designed with elegant elongated lines and gracefully rounded handles featuring classic French proportions. At the end of each handle appears an engraved decorative monogram within a richly ornamented oval cartouche adorned with beaded borders, foliate motifs, and botanical ornamentation typical of aristocratic French silverware from the 19th century. The silversmithing craftsmanship is exceptionally refined and of very high quality, with meticulous attention to detail and luxurious finishing characteristic of tableware produced for wealthy European families and noble households. The blades bear the inscription “PARIS, ” indicating French production associated with the prestigious Parisian cutlery and silversmithing tradition of the period. Total weight: 515.9 grams. Average weight per knife: approximately 43 grams. Each knife bears the official French Minerva Head hallmark, used in France from the 19th century onward to certify and control silver purity. This hallmark confirms solid French silver of .950/1000 fineness under official assay supervision. The set represents elegant French tableware from the mid-19th century, combining neoclassical sophistication with luxurious Rococo Revival decorative elements characteristic of high-quality Parisian silver craftsmanship. Condition: Overall very good condition consistent with age, showing signs of use and natural silver patina. Condition of the items is as shown in the photographs.