Fabulous set of 24 knives, 12 dessert and 12 dinner, made of the finest French sterling by the finest French master-smiths. The Napoleon III decoration, 2nd Empire, comprised of shell motif, palmettos, blossoms and elegant scrolling foliate and floral cartouches. There is no monogram on these knives! All the knives bear the mark of Jean Augustin Sabatier, 84 rue Saint-Honore from 1843-1854. The dinner knives have the original steel blades and .950 sterling handles. The blades are marked for Sabatier and also punched with the maker's mark for Pierre Queille (1834-1846). Queille is a most revered name in French silver, often sought after by Odiot and Puiforcat for commissions; and clearly in this case by Sabatier. The dessert knives have .800 silver blades and .950 sterling handles. The blades bear the Sabatier punch. Some of the handles have another punch as well; cannot quite make it out. Fabulous French antique sterling knife set!
Condition: good to very good. Some minor oxidation on some of the steel blades. One of the dessert knife blades appears to re-affixed to the handle. Please see photos for dimensions and marks. There are a lot of marks!

Antique Silver
Antique Sterling Silver