This exceptional antique carving set was crafted in Paris between 1835 and 1838 by renowned French silversmith Eugène-Théodore Gillot.
🕰️ ERA: 1830's 🇫🇷 ORIGIN: made in France, in Paris SILVERSMITH: Eugène-Théodore Gillot (1835-1845) 📏 DIMENSIONS: Fork Length: 11" (28cm), weight: 190g / Knife Length: 12 3/4" (32.5cm), Weight: 136g 💡MATERIAL: 800 silver, 950 silver, Steel blade
A superb example of early 19th-century French silverwork, the set includes a roast fork and carving knife featuring intricately decorated 800 silver handles, richly adorned with grapevines, wine leaves, and a cartouche—a classic motif of the period. The cartouche on the fork is engraved with the initials BL, while the knife remains unengraved.
The handles bear the Raphael head hallmark, in use in Paris from 1819 to 1838, identifying the silver as 800 fineness. The upper part of the fork, made of higher-grade silver, carries an impressive array of three hallmarks:
The Michelangelo head, denoting 950 silver The Ceres head, the Paris guarantee mark for large silver items The bigorne countermark, a standard anti-fraud measure in 19th-century French silver In addition, the silversmith’s mark “EG” flanked by a rosebud and a star confirms the work of Eugène-Théodore Gillot. One particularly charming detail is the finely cast head of a billy goat on the fork’s upper mount—an artistic flourish that underscores the unique character of this piece.
A rare and beautifully preserved example of early Victorian-era French silver, this carving set is not only a functional heirloom but also a work of art that reflects the sophistication and attention to detail characteristic of Parisian silversmithing during the Restauration period.
CONDITION: Please take a close look at the photos, they are an integral part of the description. This beautiful set is in antique condition with some normal signs of ages: faint scratches, signs of wears on the upper parts.
