Gorgeous 12 piece French sterling silver fish flatware service. Comprising of a set of forks and knives for 6 persons. The forks are patterned with stylized foliage, oak leaves and acorns, the back of the service ends finished with engraved details. The knives are exquisite, complimented by the lustrous and rich nacre of the solid mother of pearl handles and silver ferrules decorated with palmettes. The blades are sterling silver, fully hallmarked. Unique to this set are the finely detailed hand engraved vignettes decorating the sterling knife blades. Each blade is enhanced with an under water scene depicting various types of fish and shellfish (crab, shrimp, lobster, crayfish ) surrounded by cattails and reeds. The set is monogrammed with interlaced initials DB or BD. The forks and the knife blades are fully 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 Charles Tirbour, active from 1897 at 8 rue des Haudriette, Paris. In overall good antique to vintage condition with general wear commensurate with use. The forks are 7" length. Knives are 8 3/8" length. The total weight of the set is 631.12 grams. View our other listings for matching pieces in this pattern. (The plate shown is not included)