Rare 19th Century French Solid Silver Ice Cream Dessert Service in the Original Fitted Case by Famed Maker Emile Puiforcat, and Having Interesting Provenance.

A rare 19th century 13 piece French hallmarked solid silver beautifully engraved ice cream or dessert service for 12 people by renowned master French silversmith Emile Puiforcat of Paris, and fitted into the original large silk and velvet lined case bearing the retailers mark of goldsmith's Paul Reczka of Bordeaux.

This service consists of 12 dessert spoons, plus 1 large serving spoon with raised edge. They are beautifully engraved within each bowl with pampas grass and flower decoration. The bowls retain their original gilding, have a raised leaf heel, and a flower head design visually uniting both sides to the handle.

All pieces are marked with the boar's head mark, used after 1838 for at least .800 fine silver, and also with the maker's mark.

Size-large spoon 9 inches long by 2.75 inches wide; other spoons 5.25 inches long by 1.25 inches wide; overall case size 17.25 inches long by 12.75 inches wide by 2.25 inches high.

Weight-255 grams silver, 1.825 kilos with case for shipping.

The handles are of tapering fluted design with a leafy pointed terminal ending with ball finial. Near the bowl, the handles become square in shape

These were from the estate of Sylvaine le Desert. She was the daughter of famous Parisian journalist Jacques le Desert and the granddaughter of the newspaper proprietor and minister, Alexandre Israel. These came from the Paris property of her grandfather, now named Place de Alexandre Israel.

Sylvanie survived occupied France by posing as a village girl. She worked the land, and became a member of the French resistance. She lived in Surrey, England for many years, until her death in 2009.

This rare service would look wonderful on the dining table when entertaining, and would be very useful to serve and eat any dessert or fruit. It is wonderful to have the full service with the original case retained, made by an excellent maker, and having a very interesting provenance.

In very good condition, and a wonderful value.

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