Fish cutlery set (2) - Silver - Minerva, 1st title

Elegant fish service consisting of two pieces: a fish slice and a serving fork, crafted in the French Art Nouveau style circa 1890-1910.
The service pieces feature exquisite openwork and engraved floral and vegetal motifs, typical of the naturalistic aesthetic of Art Nouveau.
A stylized insect/butterfly motif integrated into the vegetal design is also noticeable, very characteristic of decorative creations from that period.
The functional parts are in vermeil (gilded silver) while the handles are in solid silver richly decorated with relief vegetal motifs.
Both pieces bear the Minerva 1st title hallmark, guaranteeing solid silver 950/1000, a high-quality standard used in French silversmithing.
The set is presented in its original fitted case, bearing the jeweler’s label:
Adolphe Krantz – Horlogerie Bijouterie Orfèvrerie
It was common at the time for Parisian silversmith houses to produce these services, later sold by retailers jewellers.

Origin: France
Period: around 1900
Style: Art Nouveau
Material: 950/1000 solid silver and vermeil
Hallmark: Minerva 1st title
Number of pieces: 2
Total weight: 220 g

Length 29.2 cm and 26.7 cm for the fork.

Very good overall condition for a piece over a century old.
There are light signs of use and a normal patina.
The original case shows a few signs of age.