18th Century Gold, Silver, Steel And Mother-of-pearl Folding Knife. Orléans, Louis XV
Artist: Orfèvre Coutelier Epg
Magnificent 18th-century double-bladed travel knife.
The handle is made of mother-of-pearl, richly adorned with alternating rivets decorated with gold flowers. The shell-shaped bolsters are also made of 14k gold.
The knife has two blades, one made of steel for flatware, the other of silver for fruit. Steel was not used for fruit because it oxidized and blackened with acidity.
The spine of the blade is finely grooved.
The blades open like a compass, on either side of the handle. The name of this knife comes from Mr. Berge, inventor of this system, which appears simple but requires great skill to adjust the blades relative to each other in the handle.
The knife is hallmarked on the silver blade:
. Crowned R mark for Orléans
. Hardly legible hallmark, probably a child's head in profile to the right, which would be the discharge hallmark of Orléans from 1768 to 1774.
EPG silversmith's hallmark, recorded in Orléans but apparently unidentified.
An illegible hallmark.
Later countermark hallmark dating from the Fouache administration (1774-1780): a slipper.
The upper miter also bears a small illegible hallmark and the countermark slipper.
This is a superb piece, entirely original, made of precious materials, a testament to the art of living in the 18th century.
11.1 cm closed
20.6 cm open silver blade
35.9 grams
Superb condition. A few hairs on the mother-of-pearl, no losses.
Hand delivery in Paris or insured Colissimo shipping.
France: €15
Europe: €20
Worldwide: €35
The handle is made of mother-of-pearl, richly adorned with alternating rivets decorated with gold flowers. The shell-shaped bolsters are also made of 14k gold.
The knife has two blades, one made of steel for flatware, the other of silver for fruit. Steel was not used for fruit because it oxidized and blackened with acidity.
The spine of the blade is finely grooved.
The blades open like a compass, on either side of the handle. The name of this knife comes from Mr. Berge, inventor of this system, which appears simple but requires great skill to adjust the blades relative to each other in the handle.
The knife is hallmarked on the silver blade:
. Crowned R mark for Orléans
. Hardly legible hallmark, probably a child's head in profile to the right, which would be the discharge hallmark of Orléans from 1768 to 1774.
EPG silversmith's hallmark, recorded in Orléans but apparently unidentified.
An illegible hallmark.
Later countermark hallmark dating from the Fouache administration (1774-1780): a slipper.
The upper miter also bears a small illegible hallmark and the countermark slipper.
This is a superb piece, entirely original, made of precious materials, a testament to the art of living in the 18th century.
11.1 cm closed
20.6 cm open silver blade
35.9 grams
Superb condition. A few hairs on the mother-of-pearl, no losses.
Hand delivery in Paris or insured Colissimo shipping.
France: €15
Europe: €20
Worldwide: €35
980 €
Period: 18th century
Style: Louis 15th - Transition
Condition: Good condition
Material: Sterling silver
Length: 20,6 cm
Reference (ID): 1575531
Availability: In stock
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