Charles Christofle, 1844-1847. - Lot 108

Charles Christofle, 1844-1847. RARE PART DE MÉNAGÈRE FROM THE TABLE SERVICE OF LOUIS-PHILIPPE IER, KING OF THE FRENCH, AT THE CHÂTEAU D'EU - EIGHTEEN PIECES FOR SIX GUESTS. Engraved with the coat of arms of the last King of the French, azure with three golden fleurs-de-lis and a silver lambel surmounted by the closed crown, on a background of tricolored flags, with the scepter and the hand of justice in saltire. While this set bears eloquent witness to Charles Christofle's famous goldsmith's commission for King Louis-Philippe's service at the Château d'Eu in Normandy, the rare presence on all the pieces of the engraved coat of arms of the King of the French, and the even rarer one, on all the table spoons and forks, the EU inscription engraved below the sovereign's coat of arms, indicating that this set was intended for use at Louis-Philippe I's personal table at Château d'Eu. His favorite family residence, where he twice welcomed Queen Victoria of England, sealing the First Entente Cordiale. Threaded model Silver-plated metal -Six table spoons, L.: 21.8 cm -Six table forks, L.: 21.4 cm -Six table knives, L.: 25.3 cm Hallmarks: de maître on the ferrule of the knives, for Charles Christofle circa 1844-1848, and de maître for the house of Christofle, re-inscribed after 1862 on an older de maître hallmark, with the CHRISTOFLE stamp, on the spoons and table forks. These pieces are designated in the Etat des Objets d'Argenture Christofle taken out of the Palais d'Eu and sent to England to the d'Orléans family after the February 1848 revolution (see ill. appendix cat.). Provenance : -Louis-Philippe I, King of the French, at Château d'Eu -his widow, Marie-Amélie, Queen of the French -his son, Louis d'Orléans, Duc de Nemours -his son, Ferdinand d'Orléans, Duc d'Alençon -by descent. XD