Rare Set Of 12 Silver Lamb Chop Holders By Maillard & Vazou

Rare Set Of 12 Large Antique French Silver ‘Manches à Cotelettes’ or Lamb Cutlet Holder Implements by ‘Maitres Orfèvres’ Maillard & Vazou.

They are beautifully decorated in Louis XV Style with lovely floral designs Rocaille scrolls on the handles.
They are part of all these implements that were created to facilitate meals and particularly to avoid to the diner participants any occasion to dirty their hands while dining….
Hence the little clamps would be fitted in the kitchen onto to the bone of the cutlet and screwed tight, so the guest would simply have to pick up the little handle and tranquilly, as well as cleanly enjoy the little cutlet!

The pieces are in perfect shape and come in their presentation box. Their size is quite substantial making them very practical to use.
The presentation box is also in great shape. They appear to have been sold in the Tetard Freres Shop rue Béranger in Paris.

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

The Makers’ Mark is for MAILLARD Frères & Jules VAZOU and shows an M and a V separated by a Mallet.
The Mark was registered on September 11th, 1897 and cancelled on August 6th 1903.
They held shop at 113 Rue de Turenne in Paris. Their work is showcased by several pieces today exposed in the Musée D’Orsay in Paris.

France 19th Century c.H: 5.57"Reference number: SST-346