Elegant Antique ‘Vermeil’ Tea Service Set By Compere~Sold~

An Elegant 15 pieces Antique French Vermeil (or gilded silver) Tea service set. Very popular in the Napoleon III times this consisted of all the elements needed in order to enjoy your tea in style.
You have 12 spoons with elegant ‘Uniplat’ handles marked with a Monogram reading VB. The set also showcases a beautifully carved sugar tongs with the ends sculpted into intricate Lions paws. You laso have a beautiful tea measure or scoop with the spoon ending in a lovely Leaf design exquisitely carved.
And let’s not forget the dainty tea strainer also delicately carved in a seashell design.

The set is presented in its original box of Rosewood, inlaid in ‘marqueterie’ style with brass strings in arabesques shapes. The box is in good condition with only a small restoration showing and some very very light age marks on the cloth inside (only 1 spot really).

The set is in remarkable condition with the gilt barely lightened on the spoons. All elements as well as the box, are marked with the VB Monogram.

The length given above is that of the spoons. The lenght of the Tea Scoop is 4.52″. The length of the Sugar Tongs is 5.70 “. The Width of the Tea Strainer is 2.36

The Hallmark is Minerva 1-1st title(950/1000)- 1838 -1919 – Paris. Making it all the rarer, as Vermeil was usually applied on 2nd Title silver.

The Makers Mark is for ‘Maître Orfèvre’ Ernest COMPERE showing E and C divided, by a ‘Running Hare’. His mark was active between 1878 and 1883. His store was located 79 Rue de Quincampoix in the Marais area of Paris. He was succeeded later on by his widow, Veuve Leontine COMPERE. Today the place where his store once stood, has kept its allegiance to art, as it now showcases an Art/Painting Gallery.

W: 5.61"Reference number: SST-110