French silver handled dessert slice

Description

French silver handled dessert slice. Item 4771.This French silver handled dessert slice has a gilt brass blade that has been pierced and engraved. The handle with its classical revival decoration carries the French hallmark of the Head of Minerva with the number 1, which shows that the silver content is 950 parts per thousand, a slightly finer grade than sterling silver. It also carries a makers mark. It measures 255 mm (10 inches) in length and is 60 mm (2 3/8ths inches) wide. There are a couple of small areas on the blade where the gilding has been lost, but overall it is in very good condition. It would date from around 1900.