Exquisite Antique French Vermeil Selfish Tea and Coffee Set By Soufflot

An exquisite and rare Antique French Silver & Vermeil Coffee and Tea Set by the wonderful ‘Maitre Orfèvre’ Henri Soufflot.
We call it ‘Selfish’ due to the fact it can serve 1 coffee and 1 tea!
It is also called a ‘Tête à Tête’.
The set, done in the Empire Style is in solid silver and has an 24 carat gold wash which is in great condition.
The spout of the Coffee and Tea pot are just charming. They mimic a mythical Griffin head with the neck decorated with acanthus and laurel leaves as well as rosettes.

The set consists of a Coffee Pot, a Teapot, an adorable matching Creamer, and the lovely matching Sugar Casket.
The handles are linked by beautifully carved palmettos.
The Finials, or ‘Frétel’, are delicate berries..
The décor is truly a celebration of the Empire Style.

The platter is also quite rare with the sides of the plater done in Gilt Silver with a mirror center and an oak wood backing.
It is wonderful to find a complete set, hence the rarity of this one which comes in its fitted original case.

The measures are as follows:
Coffee Pot: 7.75 inches high
Tea Pot: 6.88 inches high
Creamer: 4.72 inches high
Sugar Casket: 5.31 inches high
The Silver weight given does not include the silver in the platter.

The Hallmark is Minerve 1 -1st title (950/1000)- 1838 to 1919– Paris

The Makers Mark is for ‘Maître Orfèvre’ Henri SOUFFLOT.
It shows his initials topped by a rising sun with a star below.
He registered his mark in April 1884, taking over the workshop of from Henri Chenailler.
He cancelled his mark in November 1910.
His workshop was located 89 rue de Turbigo in Paris

France 19th Century c.Reference number: CC-287