Antique French Sterling Silver Gold Vermeil Cheese Butter Serving Dish & Knife

Description

Description
Antique Belle Epoque era French sterling silver covered butter dish, butter tub, beurrier baquet, also could serve as a soft cheese dish. Comprising of a glass bowl, sterling lid cover and under plate or saucer tray, together with matching spread knife. Superb quality. The clear crystal dish features wheel cut fluting and a deep 24-point starburst to the base. The sterling lid and underplate decorated with elegant borders patterned with laurel leaves and berries. The knife handle tipped with neoclassical elements including a winged flaming torch and palmettes. All richly enhanced in gilt vermeil finish. Bearing a unique engraved monogram of interlaced initials BL, embellished with an eagle or serpent's head. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use. Saucer measures 5 1/8" diameter. The dish measures 3 1/4" diameter opening x 1 3/8" height. The knife measures 6 1/8" length. Total silver weight is 148.5 grams. The silver is hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark. In use from 1838, the mark depicts the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her to denote a silver content of .950/1000 silver (95% silver and a higher grade of finesse than the standard .925 for sterling). Bearing a maker’s mark for Bearing maker's marks for silversmiths Prosper Ytasse & Edouard Fourneret, this mark was in use from 1897-1904 with workshop located at 17 rue Réaumur, Paris.
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Welcome to the Antique Boutique. Our aim is to provide you with a wide selection of quality antiques and collectibles. We describe everything to the best of our ability and the pictures form part of the description. We try to gather as much information about the item before listing, in an effort to offer you with an accurate and honest description. Large, clear and detailed pictures of the item help in this endeavor. Opinion on the condition of an item can vary, depending on the person viewing it. Wear is to be expected due to age and use. Note that the item in the pictures may be larger or smaller in actuality, the pictures do not represent size. Please check the description for dimensions. Feel free to contact us with any questions and postage inquiries prior to purchase.