Antique 19th century French sterling silver & gilt vermeil 3-piece flatware gift set. Comprising of a lunch or dessert fork and spoon and standard size tumbler cup, each finished in gorgeous gold vermeil. Patterned with engraved 'polka dots', further enhanced with an applied medallion cartouche accented with a scalloped sea shell motif and foliage. Blank oval cartouche, perfect to have personalized with your own engraved initials or emblem. Superb quality throughout, the flatware is of thick gauge silver with a good weight in hand.
Each piece is 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). Also bearing makers marks for Jean Granvigne (sometimes spelled Grandvigne), active 1868 to 1889 at 30 rue des Gravilliers, Paris. A skilled silversmith generally considered to be one of the best French flatware makers of the nineteenth century. Granvigne did not have a shop where clients could come choose their flatware, but rather made patterns to the specifications of high-end retailers such as Maison Odiot and Emile Puiforcat.
The fork measures 7 1/8" length. Spoon measures 7 1/4" length. Tumbler cup stands 2 7/8" tall x 2 3/4" diameter opening. Total silver weight is 191.7 grams.
The set is in very good antique condition. Some general wear commensurate with age and use. No dings or dents to the tumbler. The set is complete and housed within the original fitted presentation box. The old presentation box showing wear, in particular to the the exterior with missing black leatherette paper to the back, but still houses the set well and protectively. Box measures 11" length x 4" width x 3 1/8" height.