French Christofle Louis XVI Style Bow Motif Sterling Silver Handle Gilded Metal Serving Spoon

French Christofle Louis XVI Style Bow Motif Sterling Silver Handle Gilded Bowl Serving Spoon Cutlery Boxed A beautiful serving spoon with a gilded metal bowl and a sterling silver handle. The handle features the classic Louis XVI style bow and floral relief, adorned with French sterling silver Minerva hallmarks, exuding exquisite elegance. A thoughtful design includes a spout on the side to prevent liquid overflow when scooping soup, a very considerate touch. Christofle pioneered the use of silver-plated nickel silver in France. Nickel silver is an alloy of copper and nickel, with copper comprising approximately 60-90%, and the remainder composed of nickel and zinc, serving as the base metal for many of their gilded silver products. This alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc provides a durable and corrosion-resistant foundation, superior to brass. It prevents the brass from showing through if the plating wears off, which would cause oxidation and verdigris, making it a more suitable base metal for gilded silver cutlery. Circa: 1870 Brand: Christofle Dimensions: Length 23.6 cm, Bowl width approximately 7.7 cm Fully functional. The gilded surface of the bowl shows signs of wear, but is otherwise in good condition. As an antique item, it naturally bears historical marks. Please purchase only if you accept this.