FRENCH LOUIS XVI STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET - 242pcs. * Excellent Condition, Mother of Pearl Knife Handles * Start Price USD 17,499.00 Current Price USD 17,499.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 17,999.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, November 11, 2008 End Time Friday, November 21, 2008 Location Paris See more about 'FRENCH LOUIS XVI STERLING SILVER FLATWARE SET - 242pcs.' Description SquareTrade © AP6.0 SquareTrade   We offer high quality, European antiques direct from Europe's major auction houses at wholesale prices. Authenticity guaranteed. Insured Delivery - 24 to 48 hours to the US. Buy with confidence. Our eBay prices are substantially lower than European prices - even here in Paris.  We regularly have local eBay purchasers drop by and pick up their items. Please review our feedback and do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. Satisfaction guaranteed.  All our offerings are in excellent condition and are very good value for money. 242 Piece Sterling Silver Flatware Set, Complete with 16 Anti-Tarnish Wraps, Direct from a Private Residence in Versailles !! Includes an Amazing Assortment of 16 Serving Pieces !! The Salad Serving Pieces with Vermeil Fork Prongs and Vermeil Spoon Bowl !! The Tart Server - Notice the Intricacy of the Workmanship on the Serving Section !! 5-piece Dessert Serving Pieces - Amazing Craftsmanship !! The Large Ice Cream / Custard Serving Piece !! The Cake / Pie Serving Knife !! Close-up of the Blade of The Cake / Pie Serving Knife !! The Underside of the Fish Serving Fork !! A Unique Specimen of the Splendor of the Palace of Versailles !! In 1623, Louis XIII - father of Louis XIV - built a 'hunting lodge, a little gentleman's chateau' of brick, stone, and slate at Versailles. The king liked it so much that he soon had it enlarged. Then from 1661 to 1668 the young Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, had his own architect, embellish the residence. Magnificent Craftsmanship and Quality Typical of the  19th Century French Aristocracy !! The Individual Ice Cream Spoon !! Internationally Respected Workmanship, Recognizable Quality, The Ultimate in Luxurious Living !! The Large Soup / Stew Serving Ladle !! The Large Cake Serving Knife !! Silver - The Perfect Protection Against Rising Inflation !!     The Second Set of Salad Serving Pieces - Complementary Pattern !! The Dinner Fork and Dinner Knife with Ivory Handle !! The Dessert / Luncheon Fork and Luncheon Knife with Mother-of-Pearl Handle !! The Dessert / Luncheon Fork and Dessert Knife with Mother-of-Pearl Handle and Sterling Silver Blade - EXQUISITE !! The Dinner Fork and Table Spoon !! This is An Amazing Set and Outstanding Value for Money !! The Stately Dinner Knife - Ivory Handles in Excellent Condition !! The Luxurious Luncheon Knife with Mother of Peal Handles !! The Dainty Dessert Knife with Sterling Silver Blades and Mother-of-Pearl Handles !! The Magnificent Individual Fish Pieces !! The Fish Fork - Front and Back !! This Set is a Stunning Example of the Glory of France at the End of the 19th Century - A True Masterpiece !! The Individual Fish Knife - Front and Back !!     The layout of royal apartments was dictated by the requirements of public and private life. But, As early as 1683, Louis XIV abandoned his Grand Apartment, in order to live in his own suite, known simply as the "Appartement du Roi". The majestic painted ceilings and marble walls of the Grand Apartment gave way here to carved woodwork in white and gold, and plain ceilings. This lighter style reflected a new taste on the part of Louis XIV.  His bedchamber occupied the exact centre of the chateau from 1701 onward. It was a key setting for events in the Sun King's day and was arranged to reflect this ceremonial function.  The decoration is particularly rich, comprised not only of gilded woodwork and heavy brocade embroidered in gold (restored in 1980), but also paintings by the finest artists. These paintings by Le Valentin, Van Dyck, Domenichino, and Lanfranco were chosen by the king himself and set into the wood panelling, indicating how the most valued pieces in the royal collection were integrated into the decor.     Free FedEx Delivery !!     The Front Side of the Fork, Spoon and Serving Piece Handles !! The Under Side of the Fork, Spoon and Serving Piece Handles !! The Additional Sauce Serving Spoons - Complimentary Patterns !! The Oyster Fork - Front and Back !!     Payment Terms Available !!     The Salad Serving Pieces with Vermeil Fork Prongs and Vermeil Spoon Bowl !! Exceptional Quality, Excellent Condition, Fantastically Low Price !! The Elegant Dinner Fork - Front and Back !! A Sophisticated Addition to Any Finely Set Table !! The Individual Fish Knife - Front and Back !! Stunning Elegance and Craftsmanship - Truly Luxurious, Truly "Royal", Dining Luxury at its Finest !! The Detail on The Pie / Cake Serving Knife Blade !! The Detail of The Individual Fish Knife Blade !! The Elegant Dinner Fork and Dinner Knife with Ivory Handle !! The Dessert / Luncheon Fork and Luncheon Knife with Mother-of-Pearl Handle !! The Dessert / Luncheon Fork and Dessert Knife with Mother-of-Pearl Handle and Sterling Silver Blade - EXQUISITE !! Silver - The Perfect  Protection Against Wealth Erosion in the Recessionary Environment !! Act Now to Protect Your Hard Earned Wealth !! A Valid Investment Alternative - One of the Few Left !! You Can't Go Wrong Buying Quality - Protect Your Family's Future !!     Buy It Now !!     The Individual Fish Pieces !!   The Hall of Mirrors, erected to the glory of Louis XIV and now the chief masterpiece of Versailles, was begun in 1678 when the chateau became the official residence, disrupting the order of the salons known as the Apartment of the Planets. On the signing of the Treaty of Nijmegen, which represented the highpoint of his reign, Louis XIV ordered Le Brun to depict his government's accomplishments on the ceiling of the hall. Le Brun designed thirty compositions, framed by stucco-work, showing the monarch in various guises: Roman emperor, great administrator of the kingdom, and victor over foreign powers.     The Individual Ice Cream Spoon !! This magnificent 242 piece set is in excellent condition.  Each piece is superbly made by hand and bears the personal hallmark of the Master French silversmith (the initials "D R" and "Paris" stamped inside the diamond shape - it's the first time that I have seen the name "Paris" stamped into the hallmark.  No doubt where this set was made! The five extra pieces of the complementary pattern, do not have the same Silversmith hallmark, but all pieces have the French Government's "Head of the Minerva  1" hallmark - certifying the highest quality sterling silver in the world, a minimum of 950 sterling (except for the large soup / stew ladle which has no hallmarks). These large European pieces are dated from the late 1800s when some of the most elaborate and ornate flatware was produced in France - "La Belle Epoque". The set includes (all weights and measure approximate): Quantity Description Length Weight 18 Dinner Knives - Ivory Handles, sterling attachments. 24.50 cm   17 Dinner Forks 21.25 cm 75 grams 17 Table Spoons 21.25 cm 90 grams 18 Luncheon Knives - Mother of Pearl Handles 20.00 cm   17 Luncheon / Dessert Forks 18.25 cm 47 grams 18 Luncheon / Dessert Spoons 18.25 cm 51 grams 18 Dessert Knives - Mother of Pearl Handles and  Sterling Silver Blades - Exquisite !! 19.50 cm 38 grams 18 Fish Forks 18.50 cm 58 grams 18 Fish Knives 18.00 cm 58 grams 23 Cake Forks - Complementary pattern 15.00 cm 33 grams 18 Ice Cream Spoons 14.30 cm 26 grams 16 Oyster Forks 13.50 cm 22 grams 8 Tea / Coffee Spoons 14.30 cm 28 grams 1 Large Fish Serving Knife 27.50 cm 125 grams 1 Large Fish Serving Fork 23.80cm 128 grams 1 Large Salad Serving Spoon - Vermeil Bowl 25.50 cm 104 grams 1 Large Salad Serving Fork - Vermeil Bowl 25.70 cm 96 grams 1 Large Vegetable Serving Spoon - Complementary Pattern 25.40 cm 67 grams 1 Large Vegetable Serving Fork - Complementary Pattern 25.20 cm 80 grams 1 Large Soup / Stew Ladle 31.00 cm 238 grams 1 Large Cake Serving Knife 27.30 cm 136 grams 1 Large Pie Serving Knife 26.50 cm 119 grams 1 Large Ice Cream Serving Spoon 22.50 cm 104 grams 1 Large Tart Tart Server 23.30 cm 96 grams 1 Gravy Serving Ladle with Grease Skimmer 17.00 cm 73 grams 1 Large Sauce Serving Spoon - Complementary Pattern 24.00 cm 82 grams 1 Berry Serving Dessert Spoont 15.50 cm 36 grams 1 Small Tart Server 14.80 cm 38 grams 1 Small Dessert Serving Knife 17.80 cm 31 grams 1 Dessert Serving Fork 15.50 cm 34 grams 1 Cheese Serving Fork 15.00 cm 31 grams 16 Anti Tarnish Wraps - 13 for Dinning Pieces, 3 for Serving Pieces.     Elegant Dining at its Finest, True Luxury at an Amazingly Low Price !! The Individual Cake Fork - Front and Back !! A True Family Treasure for Generations !! Includes 16 Anti-Tarnish Wraps !! Includes 13 Anti-Tarnish Wraps for the Dinner Pieces and 3 Anti-Tarnish Wraps for Serving Pieces !!     Buy It Now !!       A direct bank transfer is by far the most efficient payment method for larger amounts. Free shipping is offered via Fedex only - 24 to 48 hour delivery to the US.  International bidders are welcome! PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. Be Sure and Check our Other Auctions for More Great Deals !!         Sellers Ship It. We Count It. The Map Shows It. Place a Bid!