King Louis-philippe’s Dessert Knives At The Château D’eu, Made Of Vermeil And Engraved With The Coat Of Arms

Set of 6 dessert knives from King Louis-Philippe’s table service at the Château d’Eu by Charles Christofle.
Vermeil, handles engraved with the coat of arms of the House of Orléans along with the collar of the Order of the Holy Spirit beneath the crown of a prince of the blood, marked “EU.”

These dessert knives are part of the prestigious table service for 400 people commissioned by King Louis-Philippe from Christofle for his residence at Eu in 1846. Many pieces from this service were featured in the exhibition *Christofle: A Brilliant History* at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in 2025. This marked the beginning of major commissions for the silversmith, who would go on to supply the tables of royalty throughout the 19th century. 

The elegant filleted design is engraved with the coat of arms of the House of Orléans beneath the crown of a prince of the blood, and vermeilled in the tradition of dessert services.

Charles Christofle’s square hallmarks on the ferrule.
Length: 20 cm
Fairly good overall condition; wear on the gilding and engravings; sturdy blades. 

Provenance:
-Louis-Philippe I, King of the French, at the Château d’Eu
-his widow, Marie-Amélie, Queen of the French
-his son, Louis d’Orléans, Duke of Nemours
-his son, Ferdinand d’Orléans, Duke of Alençon
-by descent, and sale.