沙拉餐具 (2) - 镀金的银 - 1850-1900, 1800-1850 - 法国 .950 银

exceptional Pair of French .950 Silver Vermeil Salad Servers with Mother-of-Pearl Handles & Engraved Aristocratic Coat of Arms – Hippolyte Thomas, Paris 1845-1855
Description:

Crafted by the renowned Parisian master silversmith Hippolyte Thomas (active 1845-1855), these elegant serving pieces bear the official French Minerva hallmark (right-facing head, 1st title / .950 silver guarantee) and the maker’s mark (HT with rosebud and star). The silver portions feature a rich vermeil (gold-plated silver) finish that retains its warm golden glow, while the handles are crafted from fine, iridescent mother-of-pearl (nacre) – a hallmark of high-end 19th-century French flatware.

Most strikingly, each mother-of-pearl handle is finely engraved with a complete French noble coat of arms: a coronet (typical of a count or marquis) surmounting a quartered shield with a prominent diagonal band (bande), an animal charge (likely a dog or lion symbolizing loyalty and courage), a castle or tower, vertical pales, and additional heraldic elements. Such personalized armorial silver was exclusively commissioned by the French aristocracy and upper nobility during the July Monarchy and early Second Empire (your dating of 1845-1855 fits perfectly). These pieces were status symbols for grand households, part of elaborate services displayed and used at formal dinners.

•  Length: 26.5 cm each
•  Weight: 215.6 grams (gross)

Excellent antique condition with beautiful patina, light signs of graceful use consistent with age, no dents, cracks or repairs. The engraving remains crisp and the vermeil finish vibrant.

A rare and highly collectible item that perfectly embodies the opulence of 19th-century French aristocratic dining. Ideal for completing a period silver service, as a museum-quality display piece, or as a sophisticated gift for lovers of French heritage and fine table arts.