www.925-1000.com

Hi
I have a 24 piece box set of desert spoons & forks, though they are all exactly the same model they are by two different makers Henin & Cie- Ernest compere, is this something that the French are known for or is this a first.

(Admin edit)

Hi,

Perhaps the complete set has been collected/replacement by the owner(s) during a certain time period and bought by two different silversmiths who carried both the same popular cutlery set in their stock. I believe it to be a rather common practice.
The first maker's mark see:Henin & Cie
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_H.html
The 2nd maker's mark see: Ernest Compère (reg. 1868-88)
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_E.html


Oel.

Hi oel
thanks,they are also monogramed with initials HP and all in a fitted box.
I understand the guy who's initials are on the cutlery, are a French stone mason who went to Paris for many years with his brothers after the French revaluations and rebuilt the hotel de vile which was badly damaged by fire.

Here is the boxed set.

As oel says this set could have been collected over time, or perhaps purchased from a retailer all at once just for the pattern called Filet. If it was the pattern that was important to the buyer, then the maker would have been secondary. I doubt there was any maker who didn't make this pattern, a classic.

Wonderful that you have provenance on your set. The Hotel de Ville in Paris was burned to the ground in 1871 during the Commune, and rebuilt during 1874-1882. As a side note, the flames took with them precious archives, including information about Parisian silver makers, thus making research much more difficult.

Enjoy your set!