Antique French Louis-Philippe era sterling silver and mother of pearl 7 7/8" knives for dessert or fruit. Service for 18. The elegant sterling silver blades are complimented nicely by the lustrous and rich nacre of the handles. Embellished with elegant silver ferrules and terminals decorated with beading and fluting. Accented with blank silver cartouches. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use. One ferrule has a slight bend where it meets the blade. Housed in an old presentation box showing wear commensurate with age. Box measures 8 5/8" x 6 1/4".
Twelves knife blades are hallmarked with the Michel Ange or Michelangelo / Vieillard 1st standard silver mark for .950/1000 finesse and guarantee mark for Paris 1819-38. Bearing a silversmith's mark of initials V.A. Six of the blades were likely ordered at a later time or were replacements as they bear the French Minerve 1st standard mark used from 1838 and maker's marks for Parisian cutler Eugene-Theodore Gillot, who commenced trade at 18 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre from 1835 till 1845.