A Very Rare and Elegant Antique French Silver Set of 6 ‘Orange Knives’ by ‘Maitre Orfèvre’ Robert LINZELER.
In all our years collecting French Antique Silverware we have only come across these pieces once before…
They are part of all these implements that were created to facilitate meals after 1838, when the bourgeoisie and aristocracy households decided they wanted implements that would match every food group or item…
These implements had to be beautiful yet be useful as well.
The Orange knife was very rare to come by simply because oranges were usually pressed or candied, but rarely eaten whole as a fruit.
With this implement the task was easier, one would use the she sharp point to line the orange skin in several quarters, then the rounded blade, would be used to slide under the skin and peel the orange effortlessly!
The final result resembles an open flower…
The Knives’ handles are decorated with silver pearls and silver seashells and are gilded.
A beautiful, simple and elegant décor!
The set is in perfect condition and comes in its presentation box, which is in good condition with only minor wear marks on the outside.
The Hallmark is ‘Minerve’ 1 -1st title – 1838 -1919– Paris
The Makers Mark is for Robert LINZELER and shows an R and an L topped by a royal crown.
LINZELER registered his mark on April 14th 1897 and his offices where located first at 68 rue de Turbigo then 4 Rue de la Paix and finally 9 Rue D’Argenson in Paris.
Prior to him LINZELER Frères had a store 15 Rue de la Madeleine in Paris from 1870 to 1880.
Robert LINZELER received a gold medal for his cutlery collection and his ‘Pieces de Forme’ during the 1900 World Fair in Paris.