Pierre Bognon Paris - Cutlery set for 12 (36) - Silverplated

Elegant 36-piece French service in plated silver by Pierre Bognon, silversmith in Paris, active circa 1921–1925.
The set includes:
12 large tablespoons, length approx. 21 cm, hallmark “PB” accompanied by a punch and the number “84”;
12 large forks, length approx. 21 cm, same “PB” hallmark accompanied by a punch and the number “84”;
12 coffee spoons, bearing the same master mark “PB” accompanied by a hammer, with the number “18”.
In the traditional French silvering system, the numbers “84” and “18” indicate the amount of silver used for electroplated silvering. The number 84 thus corresponds to the standard thickness applied to the large cutlery, while 18 corresponds to a lower thickness used for the small spoons, appropriate to their size.
A professional material analysis was conducted on representative pieces from the three categories of the service: one large fork, one large spoon, and one coffee spoon. These analyses confirmed the presence of a particularly well-present and relatively thick silver layer on the tested pieces. The silver layer is not limited to a simple very thin superficial deposit: substantial and repeated rubbing was required to reach the base metal. This attests to a high-quality silvering and a notably substantial plating thickness, especially remarkable given the age of the set.
The set is in very good overall condition, with only light signs of superficial wear, quite normal and consistent with its age. The silvering is very well preserved overall and the decoration remains perfectly legible.