Impressive large size antique French sterling silver over the cup tea strainer. Featuring an ornate sumptuously decorated handle patterned with lavish Rococo / Louis XV foliage and small flowers, finished with a scrolled shell or rocaille formed tip. The bowl is large and deep and finely pierced for tea. Crafted from the highest quality French sterling silver, beautifully decorated and having a good weight in hand. Hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark, depicting the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her to denote a silver content of 950/1000 (of 95% pure silver and a higher finesse than .925 sterling). Also bearing maker's marks for master silversmith Henri Soufflot, who commence trade from 1884 - 1910 at 89 rue de Turbigo, Paris.