"Ice Cream Service, Sterling Silver And Crystal, France Circa 1880-1900, Caviar Service"
Extremely rare ice cream service or caviar bowl in sterling silver and crystal in the Empire style, dating from the second half of the nineteenth century. On the silver mounts there are remnants of vermeil and the French guarantee hallmark " head of Mercury" for the highest alloy of silver 950% . This hallmark was struck on goldsmithery intended for export. The three clear crystal parts are intact and are very elegantly cut. These sorbet or caviar sets were used as a sort of frozen bain-marie, where the sorbet or caviar was placed in the large bowl filled with crushed ice or icy water.