Large and heavy antique 19th century French sterling silver chocolate or tea / coffee cup and saucer set by one of the most celebrated Parisian master silversmiths Francois-Desire Froment-Meurice. Crafted of the finest quality French .950 purity solid silver, both pieces are of thick silver, sturdy and with good weight in hand. Decorated with graceful vine and foliage bands. The finely casted spiraled handle embellished with leaves. Gilt vermeil finished bowl. Hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark, which guaranteed the finest quality French sterling silver of .950/1000 purity in use from 1838 (95% pure silver and a higher grade than the standard .925 for sterling). Bearing silversmith marks for François-Desireé Froment-Meurice, active 1832 to 1855 at 50 rue du faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris. In overall good condition with general light wear. The cup stands 3 5/8" height x 6" wide with the handle. Saucer measures 6 1/2" diameter. Total silver weight is an impressive 408.3 grams.
One of the most prominent silversmiths of the mid-1800s, François-Desireé Froment-Meurice (b. 1802 - d. 1855) was commissioned by numerous royal courts throughout Europe, and his list of patrons included Queen Victoria and Emperor Napoleon III. He exhibited and won two silver medals at the 1839 Exposition, and was awarded gold medals both in the 1844 and 1849 Expositions. He went on to become master silversmith to Louis Philippe and given the honorary title of official orfèvre-joailler to the City of Paris. Froment-Meurice died young at the height of his fame in 1855. His made far fewer pieces than silversmiths of comparable renown, Odiot and Puiforcat for example, but his works are greatly admired, highly sought after by collectors and displayed in museums throughout the world, including the V&A, Musée du Louvre, and Musée d'Orsay.
One of the most prominent silversmiths of the mid-1800s, François-Desireé Froment-Meurice (b. 1802 - d. 1855) was commissioned by numerous royal courts throughout Europe, and his list of patrons included Queen Victoria and Emperor Napoleon III. He exhibited and won two silver medals at the 1839 Exposition, and was awarded gold medals both in the 1844 and 1849 Expositions. He went on to become master silversmith to Louis Philippe and given the honorary title of official orfèvre-joailler to the City of Paris. Froment-Meurice died young at the height of his fame in 1855. His made far fewer pieces than silversmiths of comparable renown, Odiot and Puiforcat for example, but his works are greatly admired, highly sought after by collectors and displayed in museums throughout the world, including the V&A, Musée du Louvre, and Musée d'Orsay.