12 dessert spoons in vermeil, Minerva 19th century, blackened pear tree box

Service of twelve dessert spoons in solid silver vermeil, French Minerva hallmark (2nd standard, 800‰), made in France, second half of the 19th century, Napoleon III rocaille style. Unidentified silversmith, master hallmark present on each piece. Total weight: 187 grams (silver only, box not included in the weight). The handle, worked in high relief, features a richly executed rocaille decoration: entwined foliage, flowers, ribbons, and shells extending to the smooth oval cartouche, intended for a monogram and remaining blank. The spoon bowl, shaped like a shuttle with pointed ends, is entirely gilded on the inside. The gilding, old and uniform, shows wear consistent with the age of the service. The chiselling work on the handles is of a fineness characteristic of Parisian workshops of the period. Presented in its original box, made of blackened wood, with a crenellated border, a central gilded medallion in a cartouche on the lid, satin white interior on the lid side and royal blue velvet on the spoon side. The box has its original key but does not close. Box dimensions: approximately 18.5 × 17.5 × 3 cm. Overall condition very satisfactory for its age: gilding in good condition with slight natural wear on the handles and stem, visible silvering in places at usual contact areas. The box shows some corner wear on the lacquered wood, consistent with age, missing two brass strips. Box interior clean and intact. Service dated to the second half of the 19th century (1850–1880), Napoleon III period, the peak of French rocaille silverware. The Minerva 2nd standard hallmark guarantees the solid silver nature of each piece, in accordance with French legislation in force since 1838.