Fabulous set of 12 antique 19th century French sterling silver and gilt vermeil oyster / shellfish forks. Patterned with neoclassical decoration comprising of a crisscrossed torch and arrows embellished with trailing ribbon, floral accents, sprigs of laurel and arabesques. 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) Maker's marks for silversmith Edouard Ernie, active 1882 at 7 rue Réaumur, Paris. The set is complete and housed in the original box with red velvet and satin fitted