Rare French Custom-Made Mother-of-Pearl Handle, Gilded and Silver-Plated Brass Working End, Dual-Tone Openwork 4-Piece Cutlery Set

Rare French Custom-Made Mother-of-Pearl Handle, Gilded and Silver-Plated Brass Working End, Dual-Tone Openwork 4-Piece Tea Cutlery Set The French pace of life is unhurried... because they believe quality of life surpasses all else. Meal times, in particular, are leisurely affairs, with conversation flowing during the wait. The dining table, from the dishes to the cutlery, becomes a wonderful topic of discussion, thus giving rise to many exquisite tableware pieces. This magnificent four-piece tea cutlery set dates to approximately 1850-1880. The handles of this refined and ornate mother-of-pearl set are crafted from beautiful nacre, engraved with the Gothic initials "H" of the original owner. The working end is particularly special, featuring a brass base with alternating gilded and silver-plated designs. The form is characterized by a unique, intricate openwork floral carving, and bears the maker's mark. The natural iridescence of the mother-of-pearl, combined with the dual-tone gilded and silver openwork design, creates a beautiful, refined, and ornate work of art. Dimensions: Between 16.3-19.5cm # Fully functional, this is a stunning cutlery set. The mother-of-pearl is in excellent condition. Apart from a slight oxidation and wear on the neck of the cookie server as shown in the last image, the plating on the working end is generally well-preserved. This is a remarkable antique piece, though minor historical marks are to be expected with such items. Please consider this before purchasing.