Elegant Antique French 48pc Table Knife Set, 3pc Setting for Twelve +, Carved Ivory & Sterling Handles
Elegant antique French 48pc table knife set, a 3pc setting for twelve with extras and all with carved genuine ivory handles with sterling silver collars or ferules and kept in the original storage and/or presentation box or chest! Wow, what a beautiful set and quite comprehensive! All kept in the original 2-tier black leatherette storage chest and the set included twelve larger dinner knives and eighteen each in the medium sized luncheon or entremet and silver bladed dessert knives. The sterling blades all bear the French Minerve or Minerva hallmark, the shape and tiny number "2" within those marks means they're in .800 or better silver (80% pure so just under the .925 standard for "sterling" silver). The silversmith marks are for Henin & Cie, Paris circa 1896. The steel blades are marked both "Lebedel Pge Du Gd Cerf No. 46" and "Michel, 6 Rue Vivienne". A lovely set! Very good condition. There are a few age or drying splits visible in the handles but no breaks or other dama