French Belle Époque Sterling Silver Bow & Louis XVI Revival Style Large Serving Spatula

French Belle Époque Sterling Silver 950 Bow & Louis XVI Revival Style Large Serving Spatula This is a quintessential piece of French Belle Époque (late 19th to early 20th century) high-dining silver, suitable for serving fish or as a large serving spatula. It is designed for formally dividing dishes onto guests' plates during banquets, reflecting the ordered beauty and elegant proportions of the Neo-Classical Louis XVI Revival style. 🔹 Handle Features: Crafted from French 950 sterling silver, the handle bears the high-purity Minerva hallmark. It is adorned with symmetrical bows (Ruban / Nœud) as the main motif, complemented by vertical fluting and decorative elements at the finial. The lines extend vertically along the central axis, creating a clear and elegant structure, characteristic of the Louis XVI Neo-Classical vocabulary. The overall design is rational and restrained, showcasing the Belle Époque era's revival interpretation of classical order. 🔹 Serving Surface Decoration and Use: The broad serving surface is also made of 950 sterling silver, intricately carved with delicate floral and vine motifs that flow with decorative flair. Its shape is not only ideal for serving fish (Service du poisson) but can also be used for dividing roasted meats, cold platters, vegetables, pies, or main courses during banquets, making it a versatile serving utensil common on formal French tables of the era. 🍴 Functional Classification: ・ Fish Server ・ Large Serving Spatula ・ Formal Banquet Serving Silverware 📏 Dimensions: ・ Total Length: Approximately 30.4 cm 🕰 Era: Circa 1890–1910 💡 Notes: The accompanying box is a later addition for collection and display, not the original packaging. It fits appropriately and serves for display and protection. This item is functional, but as a century-old sterling silver antique, it may exhibit minor signs of use and age, consistent with its historical condition. Please consider this before purchasing.