Nice Napoleon III styling on this .950 French sterling coffee pot. In the ever desirable melon shaped, the lobed body is without monogramming! The top knop is an exquisite  More »

Nice Napoleon III styling on this .950 French sterling coffee pot. In the ever desirable melon shaped, the lobed body is without monogramming! The top knop is an exquisite hand chased floral confection. The feet and spout are strapped. The spout has long foliate accents and raised circular decoration. The handle decorated with scrolling acanthus. Altogether charming. Condition is good. There are some minor dents in both of the front attached feet (please see photograph #7). The handle also has small dent at the upper most point. All parts marked with the .950 sterling guarantee, and the bottom clearly stamped with Auguste-Louis Fizaine's punch. The mastersmith worked at 45 rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth in Paris from 1858-1879.   « Less

Fine Louis XVI style sauce boat & stand comprised of the .950 sterling the French table wear is renowned for. (US & UK sterling is .925.) The formed stand, strapped filet  More »

Fine Louis XVI style sauce boat & stand comprised of the .950 sterling the French table wear is renowned for. (US & UK sterling is .925.) The formed stand, strapped filet style, is mirrored in the partially fluted body. The edge of the stand finely detailed with a stiff leaf pattern. The handles are a charming cross ribbon design on laurel branches, with berries, and applied to the body with laurel leaf sprigs. The strapped rim of the boat bears beautifully chased scrolling acanthus leafs. There is a script interlaced monogram on either side of the stand: "BE". All parts bear the .950 sterling guarantee, the Minerve 1st titre, and both body and stand are punched with Leon Lapar's mark. Also on the bottom, Lapar Paris is stamped. Condition is good. There is some stubborn tarnish, usual signs of use, some faint clouding. No significant, i.e., noteworthy flaws. Dimensions: generous 9.75" long, 6" wide and 4" tall. Weight is 630 grams, 20.25 troy ounces.   « Less

Dinner forks and spoons for 6, in the ravishing Renaissance pattern offered in a 62 piece set. I thought I'd offer these separately, as they are over and above the 5 piece  More »

Dinner forks and spoons for 6, in the ravishing Renaissance pattern offered in a 62 piece set. I thought I'd offer these separately, as they are over and above the 5 piece place settings for 12 people. This way, those of you who adore the pattern and want it on a smaller scale, can be happy also. The pattern is extremely rare and these pieces are superbly crafted; highest quality work. A gorgeous floral foliate design decorates the upper handles, all on a hand patterned ground. And the backs also have floral decorations with exquisite mascarons on the tips. The upper handles have very classy little "collars". These pieces are nearly perfect, having just got back from my silversmith for professional polishing. The textured grounds are supposed to be dark, to bring out the decorative elements of the pattern. The tines are in good condition. Applied interlaced monogram: "OA". One nice thing about applied monograms; you can remove them and replace with your own! Simply stunning and wonderful set. Dimensions: the spoons and forks are 8.5" long. the spoons weigh 90 grams, the forks 85 grams. Total weight for the 12 pieces a hefty 1050 grams. Each piece bears the .950 sterling guarantee, the Minerve 1st titre, as well as the maker's punch for Henin & Cie.   « Less

Massive exquisite antique French sterling silver samovar bearing the punch of Louis Aucoc. Louis Aucoc assumed leadership of this renowned firm in 1870. Clients over the  More »

Massive exquisite antique French sterling silver samovar bearing the punch of Louis Aucoc. Louis Aucoc assumed leadership of this renowned firm in 1870. Clients over the years included the Emperor, Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie, King Louis Phillipe, the House of Orleans, and the Queen of Great Britain. The impressive samovar offered here boasts the royal arms and crown of a French Count. This piece has utterly exquisite details. The body of the pot is guilloche decorated, the handle, spout and lid enhanced with elegant Gordion Knot pattern. The lid topped with a superb finial; a blossom atop a spray of leafs, berries and acorns. The Coat of Arms also bears three acorns; so the finial cleverly mirrors the Count's Armorial. The stand is elaborately chased to resemble wooden branches; a Trompe-L'Oeil masterpiece. Also chased in this fashion are the arms extending from the near bottom of the pot which rest in the stand. Even the heating device is crafted of .950 sterling silver! A magnificent and important piece. Please note: a three piece matching tea set will be listed separately. Oh, and of course the monumental Cardeilhac tray is not included in this sale; although if you view the tray listing, it will help you get a sense of how very large this samovar is ;) Dimensions: The pot is 12.5" long, 8.5" diameter, 10.5" tall with handle extended upward, 7.5" tall from base to finial tip. The legs are 1.75" long. Weight: 1935 grams, over 62 troy ounces, 4.25 pounds! The stand is 7.75" tall, 9.25" long at the top, 9.75" long at the base, 8.75" wide. Weight: 1275 grams, over 40 troy ounces, 2.8 pounds. The heating device is 3" tall, 4" diameter and weighs 225 grams. Combined weight is 3500 grams, 112.5 troy ounces, 7.71 pounds. The pictures make it difficult to appreciate the massive dimensions of this fine samovar. Marks: all parts punched with the .950 sterling silver guarantee. The base of the pot bears the Louis Aucoc punch and the Aucoc Aine stamp. Condition is excellent. There is one area of the guilloche that has a very tiny rub. Some tarnish in spots that I believe would accurately be described as a gorgeous aged patina.   « Less

This is the second set of 11 place settings in this glorious pattern by Alphonse Debain. Couldn't resist it! Perfect if you wish to serve 24, just buy both ;) The pattern is  More »

This is the second set of 11 place settings in this glorious pattern by Alphonse Debain. Couldn't resist it! Perfect if you wish to serve 24, just buy both ;) The pattern is exquisite; Graceful spatulate handles sprinkled with a floral foliate bouquet, surrounded with strapping, trefoils and lamberkins. The monogram on this set is different: script interlaced "LW". There are 3 piece place settings: dinner fork, dinner spoon and demi-tasse spoon, 11 each. 1 extra demi-tasse spoon. A large stew or soup ladle and vegetable serving spoon included, as is a box which, though not original to the set, will help with tarnish reduction. Condition is good to very good. There is some wear and some hard to get out tarnish. Such a fabulous legacy set is worth a professional polish; but it's ready to use! I've had it cleaned twice. Dimensions: Dinner forks8 7/8" long, weigh 80 grams. Dinner spoons are 8.75" long, weigh 85 grams. Demi-tasse are 5.25" long, 0.8 grams. The ladle is 13.25" long, weighs 245 grams, the vegetable serving spoons 10 7/8" long, 125 grams. Each piece is marked with the Minerve 1st titre; guarantee for .950 sterling. And the maker's punch for Alphonse Debain, 79 rue du Temple, Paris; active 1883-1911.   « Less

Always love to find unusual pieces for the collector of rare fine French sterling. Such as this pair of Louis XVI place holders, by renowned French master-smith Emile  More »

Always love to find unusual pieces for the collector of rare fine French sterling. Such as this pair of Louis XVI place holders, by renowned French master-smith Emile Puiforcat. These are a superb confection: asymmetric shield form bodies lush with finely chased rocialles and scrolling acanthus. Each weighs 45 grams, standing 3.5" tall, 3" wide and 1" deep. Condition is very good save for one flaw. The easel back of one of the pieces has a severed leg as well as a repair; i.e., the easel back has been re-affixed to the body (see photograph #6). This does not affect function. Nevertheless, if the pieces are planned for routine use, a solder might be a preventive plan. There are interlaced script monograms which, per usual, I can't figure out. My guess is "GF". Marks: the maker's punch for Emile Puiforcat and the .950 sterling guarantee. Circa late 1800's early 1900's.   « Less

How amazing to find a pair of Theodore Starr sterling silver vases each with the original sterling liners. And what beautiful vases they are! Much themselves like a bouquet  More »

How amazing to find a pair of Theodore Starr sterling silver vases each with the original sterling liners. And what beautiful vases they are! Much themselves like a bouquet of flowers, the simple elegant stems rise into a crescendo of rich repousse floral foliate decoration, sprinkled with rocailles. All hand chased and glorious. The repousse design is echoed in the edging at the base. The liners are simple as can be. Condition is good despite one vase having a professional repair to the base, where the stem attaches. The liner for that vase has a few very minor dents along the edge. The liner of course is not visible when assembled with the vase. Both under-bases stamped with the maker's punch for theodore B. Starr, Sterling, New York and pattern number 159. Starr used this stamp between 1900 and 1925. Dimensions: vases are 6.75" tall, 2.5" diameter at the base, 3" diameter at the top. The liners are 4.5" long, 2.5" diameter at the top and .75" diameter at the bottom. Combined weight is 370 grams. The liners are not marked sterling; but are considered part of the vase which is marked sterling. In France, of course, every single pieced of attached sterling to a composite piece bears the guarantee. But the controls are not so rigorous here.   « Less

A rare French Empire pattern, produced by Louis Coignet, active in 1893. There are three piece place settings for 12, comprised of the huge French dinner sized spoons, fork  More »

A rare French Empire pattern, produced by Louis Coignet, active in 1893. There are three piece place settings for 12, comprised of the huge French dinner sized spoons, fork and knives. Spoons and forks elaborately decorated with laurel leaf and berry edges, sprigs and wreaths. The handles are fluted, with fine textured finish in the depressions. The knives are superb, with beautiful mother of pearl handles and fine silver ferrules. The ferrules are boldly designed, an elegant chased acanthus leaf motif, studded with beads and ringed with floral swags. Condition is very good to excellent. A bit of stubborn tarnish here and there. The blades appear to be new. The spoons and forks bear an interlaced monogram: MB. These come with new boxes to keep the silver preserved. Dimensions: spoons and forks both 8.5" long, weighing 80 grams each. Total silver weight 1920 grams, nearly 62 troy ounces of .950 sterling silver. Each spoon and forks boasts the Minerve 1st titre; the guarantee for .950 sterling in France since 1838. And each bears the punch for Louis Coignet. The knives, in usual fashion, are unmarked.   « Less

This sumptuous lidded serving dish, crafted by Armand-Edouard Cardeilhac, silversmith to Napoleon III, is magnificently decorated with a rich Renaissance pattern of engraving  More »

This sumptuous lidded serving dish, crafted by Armand-Edouard Cardeilhac, silversmith to Napoleon III, is magnificently decorated with a rich Renaissance pattern of engraving and textures on the cover. The pierced silver handles intricately designed with strapping and foliate motifs surrounding remarkable and lovely classical mascarons: women's faces crowned with tiaras and lush plumage. The fitted lid is decorated on it's handle with a mascaron: a male face in this instance. The formed & fitted rim of the outer bowl is ribbed and edged with scrolling acanthus. The liner inside is 950/1000 parts sterling silver. Also the cover and the bowl have applied sterling silver monograms, interlaced, 'LLT', I think. I am not good at decrypting these monograms. This covered tureen, or vegetable serving dish, is huge! It is over 13" long, 6" tall and weighs over 3 pounds: 1,435 kgs. Condition is very good to excellent. The liner and bottom have some signs of use, minor depressions. These imperfections have been relieved through the services of my silversmith; it's always difficult to decide whether to restore, as restoration can impact the value of an antique. In this case, the restorations were so minor and benign, the piece so rare and exceptional, it seemed the right decision. An absolutely magnificent serving piece that will not fail to delight, amaze and impress your favored guests. Not to mention a very fine indeed addition to your best collection of exquisite silver. Priced similar pieces in Paris last week. Should you decide to but a serving piece of this quality from a similar first rate smith, Puiforcat, expect to pay in the 60,000.00 euro range!   « Less

Glorious and RARE antique Sheffield sterling vanity mirror! This is an extravagant sterling silver standing mirror, over 100 years old, fully and crisply marked. The top  More »

Glorious and RARE antique Sheffield sterling vanity mirror! This is an extravagant sterling silver standing mirror, over 100 years old, fully and crisply marked. The top ornamentation surrounds a central cartouche which is vacant: no monogram! The remainder of the edges are comprised of a scrolling floral decoration. The silver is in perfect condition! Fully marked: Walker & Hall of Sheffield, a very fine silver maker. The fine beveled glass mirror has a minor scratch and some minor discoloration in the background. The back is covered with the original velvet and here wear is evident. Dimensions: 17" tall, 11" wide and over 1" thick. The mirror's stand does not have a ribbon limiting it's reach. The mirror stands perfectly well without one, as the stand is very sturdy wood. But the addition of a restraint may be desirable to safeguard the mirror.   « Less