Bidspirit auction | Pair of Antique 19th Century

Pair of Antique 19th Century French Serving Knives / Spreaders, Solid French .950 Silver with Mother of Pearl Handles, Bearing Original Registered French Silversmith Hallmarks “Béloni Foisil” (Poinçon de Maître) Alongside the French Government Minerva Head Hallmark - Circa 1850-1880 - Total Weight: Approx. 76 Grams - Pair of Antique 19th Century French Serving Knives / Spreaders, Solid French .950 Silver with Mother of Pearl Handles, Bearing Original Registered French Silversmith Hallmarks “Béloni Foisil” (Poinçon de Maître) Alongside the French Government Minerva Head Hallmark - Circa 1850-1880 - Total Weight: Approx. 76 Grams Elegant and high-quality pair of French serving knives in classic 19th century French design, executed in the Louis XVI Revival style with Napoleon III and Rococo Revival influences, a style especially popular among aristocratic households and the upper bourgeoisie in Paris during the second half of the 19th century. The knife blades are made of solid French silver and designed with clean elongated lines characteristic of luxurious serving utensils from the period. The handles are crafted from natural Mother of Pearl in a creamy iridescent tone with a beautiful natural luster, and decorated with delicate engraved monograms at the ends. The junction between the blade and handle is adorned with decorative French silverwork featuring floral and ornamental motifs in classic French taste. The blades bear the French government Minerva Head hallmark, used in France from the 19th century onward for official silver purity control, indicating solid French silver of .950 fineness under official assay supervision. Alongside appears a lozenge-shaped maker’s mark with the initials B/F, identified as the registered French silversmith “Béloni Foisil” (Poinçon de Maître), as commonly found on high-quality French silverware of the period. The lozenge / diamond-shaped hallmark guarantees the item is made of solid precious metal. Weight: 37.94 / 38.18 grams. Overall condition is very good considering age, with signs of use, minor wear, natural patina, and age-related marks typical of antique 19th century silver items. Condition according to the photographs.