Antique Napoleon III era French sterling silver soup serving ladle. Crafted from 95% pure silver. Featuring a classic double-struck Georgian style fiddle and thread handle. Engraved monogram MG en verso. A sturdy piece of thick solid silver, weighs an impressively heavy 302.02 grams. Hallmarked with the French Minerve 1st standard mark, which depicts the goddess Minerva with a number 1 beside her to denote a silver content of 950/1000 (of 95% pure silver and a higher finesse than .925 sterling). Bearing a maker's marks for silversmith Louis Gabélus Bouffet, active 1862 to 1872 in Amiens, France. Measures 15" length with a 4" diameter bowl. Weighs 302.02 grams. In good condition with general wear from use. Housed in the original coffin shaped fitted presentation box showing some wear commensurate with age, and has housed the ladle protectively over the years. Box measures 16" length x 3 1/4" height.