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 - A group of 4 silver items from the late 19th century, including French and Dutch pieces: an antique 19th-century French serving fork, silver 800, weight: 23.66 grams; an antique Dutch silver 833 carving/serving fork, Amsterdam, circa 1862, weighing 40.12 grams; and a pair of antique French silver spoons made of high-grade 950/1000 silver, total weight 31.85 grams. Antique 19th-Century French Serving Fork - French Silver 800, Minerva Head 2 Hallmark, Louis XVI / Napoleon III Style - Weight: 23.66 grams Antique 19th-century French serving fork, made of French silver 800 and bearing a French government hallmark of the Minerva Head type. The fork is designed in elegant elongated lines, with a decorative handle featuring neoclassical elements and delicate ornamentation in the traditional French style. The junction between the handle and the head of the fork is decorated with a classical shell and foliage motif, while the ends of the handle are designed with an oval frame typical of quality French silverware from the period. On the head of the fork appears a French government hallmark of the Minerva Head type, 2 Minerva Head, which was used in France from the 19th century for the marking and official control of silver purity. This is French silver of 800/1000 purity. Weight: 23.66 grams. General condition is good according to age, with signs of use, wear, natural patina and typical age-related marks found on antique silver items. Condition according to the photos. Antique Dutch carving/serving fork made of silver 833/1000, Amsterdam, circa 1862. The item has a thick, shaped handle with longitudinal grooves, a decorated neck and an elegant structure characteristic of quality European serving utensils from the period. The end of the fork is built with four tines, one of which is wider, most likely intended for use as a carving/holding tool for meat or for serving. Several Dutch silver hallmarks appear on the base of the fork. The central hallmark is a Dutch lion within a frame with the number 2, indicating Dutch silver of 0.833 purity. In addition, there is a city/assay office mark, apparently connected to Amsterdam, as well as a date letter corresponding approximately to the year 1862. There is also a maker’s mark in a rectangular frame, appearing as the initials L & Z. Item weight: 40.12 grams. General condition: good for its age. There are signs of use, natural patina and light wear consistent with the age of the item. The hallmarks are visible. Condition according to the photos. Pair of antique French silver spoons, made of high-grade 950/1000 silver, bearing the French Minerva Head hallmark, indicating first-standard French silver. The spoons are designed in a classic French style, with an oval bowl and an elongated handle ending in a wide rounded tip. The silver hallmarks are visible on the handles, including the Minerva hallmark within a frame with the number 1, indicating silver purity of 0.950/1000. Spoon weights: one spoon approx. 15.45 grams, the second spoon approx. 16.37 grams. General condition: good for their age. There are signs of use, natural patina and light wear on the silver surface. Condition according to the photos.