Photo Credit: Only-At-The-Antique-Boutique
Magnificent Set of Antique Silver-Gilt French Empire Teaspoons
Buy It Now Price: $596.25 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-Here is a magnificent set of one dozen silver-gilt antique French Empire teaspoons. They are covered with sumptuous scallop and bright-cut engraved decoration, even their bowls. The effect is not only absolutely stunning, but also completely in character with their 1830s to 1850s provenance.
-These French Empire teaspoons or coffee spoons measure 5.625 inches (14.3 cm) in length and weigh 303.6 grams (9.76 troy ounces) in total. With silver currently trading at $16.62 per troy ounce, the entire set contains about $154 worth of silver.
–The French Empire style evolved from Neo-Classical design and was dominant during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I, circa 1800 to 1815. It spanned the entirety of the visual arts, from monumental architecture to furniture and interior design to the minor arts like silverware. French Empire style tapped the grandeur of ancient Rome and Egypt for its inspiration and was far less austere or restrained than its Neo-Classical predecessor. The French Empire style was popular both in France and internationally; it experienced intermittent revivals through the 1860s.
-These silver-gilt French Empire teaspoons are hallmarked with the iconic French 1st quality Minerva hallmark, indicating 950 fine, solid silver construction. This is a higher purity than the world-renowned sterling silver (925 fine) standard.
-The quality of these silver-gilt French Empire teaspoons is incredibly high. Not only does the craftsmanship represent the pinnacle of early to mid 19th century Continental European silversmithing, but each individual spoon also weighs 25.3 grams (0.813 troy ounces) – a very heavy weight for a silver spoon intended for tea, coffee or dessert.
-Because these antique silver-gilt French Empire teaspoons were made sometime before 1860, there is a fair chance that they were created using the long-lost mercury gilding technique. This superior method of gold plating was abandoned by the late 19th century because it was toxic to gilders. However, any silver-gilt item created via mercury gilding is completely safe for regular use, even in direct contact with food or drink.
-Given the way these gorgeous 175 year old antique silver teaspoons perfectly capture the French Empire style, I think the asking price of just under $600 is quite reasonable, if not a bargain.
Cons:
-This set of French Empire teaspoons is actually two separate 6-piece sets made by different Paris-based silversmiths at around the same time. The first silversmith was Edmond Jamet, who worked between 1831 and 1847 at 15 place Dauphine. The second maker, Louis-Patient Cottat, was active from 1831 to 1866 at 47 quai de l’Horloge. Some purists might consider this an assembled set and, therefore, of lower value. I disagree with this assessment. These French Empire teaspoons match perfectly and, even if crafted by different silversmiths, were still made more-or-less contemporaneously with one another. In my opinion, it would be foolish to denigrate this set of exquisite antique French silver teaspoons just because of this minor historical quirk.
-These teaspoons are monogrammed on their backs with the initials “MD”. Some antique collectors will not purchase fine, old silver with monograms because they feel it impinges on the “purity” of the piece. I think monograms add to the history of a piece and shouldn’t impact their value.
