148 pieces of French first standard (.925) silver flatware in four oak fitted drawer cases, most pieces marked with Minerva heads and with mark A L plus lark, (attributed to Auguste Leroy & Cie, Paris); some marked V B with stars and moon mark (attributed to Paris and V. Boivin, Paris). All pieces are in a Neoclassical style pattern with raised wreaths, waterleaf, scroll and swag designs, some pieces with additional flaming torch engraving on the blades/bowls, and most pieces engraved with an elaborate crown and scroll crest. The service includes 18 place forks (8-1/2"L, all with crest on back, some with monogram removal to front), 17 place knives (9-3/4"L, marked Paris on blades), 12 place spoons (all 7-1/4"L, 9 gilt, 3 not gilt and marked VB), 11 tablespoons (3 marked VB), 11 teaspoons (5-7/8"L, 9 with gilt, the other 3 all silver and marked VB), 9 gilt demitasse or coffee spoons, 11 soup spoons (5-1/2", 3 lack crests), 11 fish forks (7"L, 6 marked VB), 12 salad or dessert forks (7-3/8", 3 marked VB), 12 knives (7-7/8"L), and 12 fish knives (8"L, 6 marked VB). Also included are 14 serving pieces: a "main pince" asparagus server; pair sugar tongs; sugar sifter with pierced bowl; grape shears; soup ladle (13") and gravy ladle (7-1/2"); salad serving fork and spoon (9-1/2'L); 2 long handle serving spoons, one with pierced bowl and the other solid (10-1/4"L); 2 pastry servers, one with pierced blade and the other solid/engraved (11-1/4"); and 1 oval bowl table serving spoon (8"L). Combined weight 242.19 oz troy (knives with silverplated blades/hollow handles and grape shears not included in weight). French, early 20th century.
Condition
Pieces marked VB have monogram removals (and lack crests), some other pieces also exhibit monogram removals. Otherwise excellent condition.