Antique Christofle Silver-plated Cutlery Canteen - "18. Contour Louis XV" - 51-piece/12-pax. - France, c. 1890

A rare and antique collection of silver-plated cutlery, made by the famous French silversmith Christofle- circa 1890. The pieces come in their original antique canteens with foldable lids and brass hardware, the insides covered in a dark-green velvet. The Christofle & Cie. logo is marked on the inside of the lids in gold. This pattern, the collection "Contours Louis XV" features violin-shaped pieces with a Chippendale-style contours. A peculiar detail is the eastern-looking decoration on the backside of the spoon bowls and forks.  This pattern was still included in the catalog of 1890-1891, but seems absent from the 1902 edition. 

Consisting of: 

- 12 dinner spoons (21,7cm) 
- 12 dinner knives (26,5cm)
- 12 dinner forks (21,6cm)
- 12 coffee spoons (14,6cm)
- Ladle 
- Serving spoon
- Openwork fruit spoon 

The pieces are in remarkable condition for their age, with only slight microscratching present. The blades of the knives - in steel - show some dark spots due to corrosion here and there. All in good condition, without damage to the silver layer. 

All pieces marked - in the bowls of the spoons and under the tines - with [C-84 beneath Scales-C][CHRISTOFLE] for Christofle & Cie./Charles Christofle.