Direct from Paris: A magnificent 182pc. Louis XVI, 950 sterling silver flatware set by French silversmith Savary & Fils "Silversmith to the Kings and Queens of Europe". Includes an amazing assortment of 26 serving pieces, magnificent custom made 4-drawer storage chest and there are no monograms on any of the pieces - Circa 1880s. The story of French silversmithing in the nineteenth century is a narrative punctuated by names that have become synonymous with luxury, artistry, and technical perfection. Among these luminaries, the firm of Savary & Fils occupies a position of particular distinction.
The Early Years: Founded in the heart of Paris in 1780 by Louis-François Savary, the firm emerged during a period when the art of silversmithing in France was reaching unprecedented heights of sophistication. Louis-François, an artisan whose passion for his craft was matched only by his innate talent, established a workshop that would, over the ensuing decades, transform from a modest enterprise into one of the most revered names in European silver. The timing of the firm’s founding was propitious; it occurred on the cusp of a transformative era in French history, one that would see the upheaval of the Revolution and the subsequent rise of new social orders, all of which would profoundly influence the market for luxury goods.
The transition from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century marked a pivotal moment for the Savary firm. As the revolutionary fervor subsided and the Napoleonic era ushered in a renewed appetite for opulence, the house of Savary adapted with remarkable agility. It was during this period that the firm began to focus intensively on the production of high-quality silverware, aligning its output with the evolving tastes of both the re-established French aristocracy and the newly emergent bourgeois class. This strategic pivot was not merely a commercial decision but a philosophical one; it reflected a deep understanding that fine silver was no longer the exclusive preserve of royal houses but was increasingly desired by a wider elite who sought to emulate aristocratic refinement. The foundation laid by Louis-François Savary was one of uncompromising quality, a principle that would become the cornerstone of the firm’s identity and would guide its operations for generations.
The Savary Firm: As the nineteenth century progressed, the firm evolved, becoming known as Savary & Fils, a designation that signified both family continuity and the expansion of the enterprise. The “& Fils” denoted the involvement of the next generation, ensuring that the founder’s exacting standards were transmitted through a direct line of familial expertise. This familial structure was common among the great French silversmithing houses, such as Odiot and Christofle, and it provided a sense of stability and tradition that was highly valued by discerning clientele. The Savary firm operated from notable addresses in Paris, including 79 rue Quicampoix and later 83 rue du Temple, locations that placed them within the city’s historic center of silversmithing and luxury commerce. From these ateliers, the firm cultivated a reputation that would eventually earn them the lofty, though unofficial, title of “Silversmith to the Kings and Queens of Europe,” a testament to their reach and the esteem in which they were held by the highest echelons of continental society.
Royal Patronage: The ascent of Savary & Fils to the pinnacle of their craft was significantly accelerated by the acquisition of royal patronage, the ultimate validation for any luxury artisan in pre-republican Europe. The firm’s exceptional craftsmanship and the reputation of Louis-François Savary as a master silversmith earned him the favor of the French court, most notably King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. This royal endorsement was not merely ceremonial; it involved commissions for several exquisite silverware pieces, which served as both functional objects and potent symbols of monarchical prestige. To work for the crown was to be subjected to the most exacting demands, and the fact that Savary’s work met these standards with distinction speaks volumes about the technical prowess and artistic sensitivity of the firm’s artisans. Such patronage also provided an invaluable form of social proof, signaling to the rest of the aristocracy and the wealthy nobility across Europe that Savary & Fils was a house worthy of their custom.
This royal association, established during the ancien régime, cast a long shadow over the firm’s subsequent history. Even as the political landscape of France shifted through revolutions, empires, and restorations, the association with the highest levels of society remained a central part of the Savary identity. Following the Bourbon restoration, the firm continued to attract a clientele that included not only the remnants of the old nobility but also the newly powerful families of the Monarchy and the Second Empire. The firm’s ability to navigate these changing political currents while maintaining its reputation for excellence is a testament to its resilience and its unwavering focus on quality. The title “Silversmith to the Kings and Queens of Europe,” often applied to the firm, reflects a broader reality: Savary pieces graced the tables of royal households and princely courts across the continent, from France to the various German states, the Italian principalities, and beyond.
Awards and Accolades: The firm’s excellence was not confined to the private approval of royal patrons; it was also recognized on the most prestigious public stages of the industrial and artistic world. The Exposition Universelle, the world’s fair held in Paris in 1855, was a landmark event designed to showcase the pinnacle of art, industry, and culture from across the globe. It was at this international forum that Savary’s work, including their innovative and exquisitely crafted silverware designs, was awarded a prestigious Gold Medal. This accolade was profoundly significant. It represented an official, state-sanctioned acknowledgment of the firm’s preeminence, placing them in the front rank of French silversmiths alongside other celebrated houses. The Gold Medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle solidified Savary’s international reputation, transforming them from a highly regarded Parisian firm into a globally recognized brand of luxury. It was a public declaration that their craftsmanship represented the highest of international standards, a marketing credential that would have been immensely valuable in attracting discerning buyers from around the world. The award was a culmination of decades of dedication and a clear signal to collectors and connoisseurs that a piece by Savary was an investment in the finest artistic and material quality.
The Commitment to Quality: The quality and authenticity of Savary & Fils’ silver are definitively attested to by the marks that adorn each piece. In the rigorous system of French silver hallmarks, the presence of the “Head of the Minerva 1” is the ultimate guarantee of purity and quality. The Minerva hallmark, introduced in 1838, was the French government’s official warranty mark for silver. The “1” within the profile of the goddess Minerva signifies a silver purity of 950 parts per thousand, a standard known as “first standard” or “950 sterling silver”. This is a higher purity than the 925 standard commonly used in British and American sterling silver, indicating a richer, more luxurious alloy with a greater precious metal content. The presence of this mark on every piece of Savary & Fils silver is not a mere formality; it is a state-certified guarantee that the item meets the most stringent legal requirement for purity, a testament to the firm’s commitment to using only the finest materials.
Complementing the state hallmark is the firm’s own maker’s mark, which serves as a signature of their craftsmanship and responsibility. The Savary & Fils mark, often recorded as “S & Fils,” was registered with the French authorities and serves as a unique identifier. Archival records indicate that the firm’s mark was associated with a guarantee number and a prefecture number, formalizing their status within the regulated trade. One source notes a mark featuring a rabbit, registered to Savary & Fils at 79 rue Quicampoix, active from 1920 until 1931, demonstrating the firm’s continued operation and official standing well into the twentieth century. The existence of such detailed records, including a mention in the authoritative “Dictionnaire de Poinçons d’Orfèvrerie,” confirms the firm’s integration into the formal structures of French silversmithing and provides researchers and collectors with a reliable means of authentication.
The combination of the Minerva 1 hallmark and the Savary maker’s mark offers a powerful narrative of integrity and quality. The Minerva mark assures the buyer of the material’s purity, a crucial consideration in an era when the value of silver was intrinsic. The Savary mark, meanwhile, assures the buyer of the artistry, design, and construction. It represents the reputation staked by the firm on every object that left their workshop. For a nineteenth-century aristocrat or a wealthy industrialist commissioning a flatware set, these marks provided the confidence that they were acquiring not just a set of utensils but a legacy piece, crafted by one of the most reputable houses in France, using the purest materials sanctioned by the state. For modern collectors, these hallmarks are the essential keys to dating, authenticating, and valuing a piece, serving as an indelible link to the distinguished lineage of the firm and the exacting standards of the era.
Savary’s 950 Flatware Sets: The pinnacle of Savary & Fils’ artistic and commercial achievement in the nineteenth century is most spectacularly embodied in their large-scale 950 sterling silver flatware sets. These were not merely collections of cutlery; they were comprehensive dining services, often comprising hundreds of pieces designed to equip the table of a grand household for every conceivable culinary and social occasion. The sets that survive in private collections and appear on the antiques market today are breathtaking in their scope and ambition. For example, this stunning set from the 1880s includes an astounding 182 pieces, with 26 serving pieces, each meticulously crafted and housed in a magnificent custom-made, multi-drawer storage chest. The chest, lockable and made of fine woods, is in itself a work of craftsmanship, designed to protect and display the silver, underscoring the set’s status as a family heirloom of considerable value.
The stylistic language of this gorgeous flatware set is overwhelmingly the Louis XVI style, a neoclassical aesthetic that remained perennially popular throughout the nineteenth century. For the nineteenth-century elite, choosing a Louis XVI-style service was a deliberate act of cultural self-positioning, aligning themselves with a pre-revolutionary golden age of French taste and craftsmanship. The execution of these designs by Savary & Fils was of the highest order. Each piece is described as being “skillfully handcrafted with the fine workmanship that has made this brand a legend” and “renowned for their elegant styling and the legendary quality of their products”. The consistent weights of the pieces attest to the substantial gauge of silver used and the solidity of the construction, ensuring that each piece was not only beautiful but also durable and satisfying to handle.
The Savary Legacy: The legacy of Savary & Fils extends far beyond the physical objects they produced. The firm represents a quintessential expression of the French tradition of luxury craftsmanship, known as “le savoir-faire français.” Their work embodies a holistic commitment to excellence that encompasses design, material purity, technical execution, and an understanding of the social rituals that their silver served. In the competitive world of nineteenth-century Parisian silversmithing, a field that included such giants as Odiot, Christofle, and Puiforcat, Savary & Fils carved out a distinguished niche. Their ability to secure royal patronage, win a Gold Medal at the 1855 Exposition Universelle, and consistently produce flatware sets of unparalleled scope and quality speaks to a house that was at the very forefront of its profession. The firm’s collaborative spirit, including partnerships with celebrated artists and other silversmiths like Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot, further enriched their output and demonstrated a commitment to artistic innovation within the framework of traditional craftsmanship.
For contemporary collectors, connoisseurs, and admirers of the decorative arts, Savary & Fils silver represents the pinnacle of antique French craftsmanship. The large flatware sets, in particular, are highly sought after not only for their beauty and historical significance but also for their practicality. They remain fully functional for grand-scale entertaining, offering a tangible connection to the elegance of a bygone era. The condition of surviving sets, often described as “superb” or “excellent,” is a testament to the durability of the materials and the care with which they have been preserved, frequently in their original storage chests.
The story of Savary & Fils is one of enduring brilliance. From its origins in the waning years of the ancien régime to its flourishing as a premier supplier to European aristocracy in the nineteenth century, the firm consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the highest standards of silversmithing. Their legacy is preserved in the hallmarks struck into the metal—the Minerva 1 guaranteeing purity, the Savary signature attesting to artistry—and in the magnificent flatware sets that survive as monuments to a lost world of formal dining and uncompromising luxury. These sets, with their hundreds of pieces, their specialized serving utensils, and their elegant Louis XVI styling, encapsulate the quality and craftsmanship that made Savary & Fils a legend. They remain the ultimate expression of luxurious living, a worthy addition to any family estate, and a shining example of the profound artistry that defined the golden age of French silversmithing. The firm’s name continues to resonate, synonymous with a level of quality that modern mass production can only aspire to, ensuring that the work of Savary & Fils will be treasured by generations to come.
Set Composition: Each piece in this amazing set is skillfully handcrafted with the fine workmanship that has made this brand a legend. Renowned for their elegant styling and the legendary quality of their products, this set is an exemplary testimony to the quality and luxury enjoyed by the 19th century French elite. Each piece, bears the hallmark of Master French Silversmith "Savary & Fils." in addition to the French Government's "Head of the Minerva - 1" Hallmark, certifying a minimum of 950 sterling silver. The set is of exceptional quality and craftsmanship and really is in superb condition. If you are seriously looking for a large high quality 950 sterling silver flatware set - this is a good one. Check the weights and measures below - all weights and measures approximate:
12 Dinner Knives - Stainless Steel Blades 24.30 cm. 65 grams
12 Dinner Forks 21.00 cm. 83 grams
12 Tablespoons 21.00 cm. 83 grams
12 Luncheon Knives - Stainless Blades 20.00 cm. 41 grams
12 Luncheon / Dessert Forks 17.50 cm. 40 grams
12 Luncheon / Dessert Spoons 17.50 cm. 40 grams
12 Dessert Knives - Sterling Blades 20.50 cm. 51 grams
12 Fish Knives 21.30 cm. 59 grams
12 Fish Forks 17.50 cm. 46 grams
12 Ice Spoons - Vermeil Bowls 14.00 cm. 29 grams
12 Teaspoons 14.00 cm. 27 grams
12 Oyster Forks 12.50 cm. 25 grams
12 Coffee Spoons 12.00 cm 20 grams
1 Large Serving Fork 26.00 cm. 130 grams
1 Large Serving Spoon 26.00 cm. 133 grams
1 Large Custard Serving Scoop - Vermeil Bowl 22.60 cm. 122 grams
1 Large Fish Serving Knife 26.00 cm. 128 grams
1 Large Fish Serving Fork 22.20 cm. 112 grams
1 Large Cake / Pie Serving Knife - Vermeil Bowl 26.00 cm. 129 grams
1 Large Salad Serving Fork 25.80 cm. 114 grams
1 Large Salad Serving Spoon 25.80 cm. 118 grams
1 Large Ice Cream Server - Vermeil Bowl 24.80 cm. 114 grams
1 Large Berry Serving Spoon 20.80 cm. 82 grams
1 Large Dessert Serving Spoon - Vermeil Bowl 21.00 cm. 75 grams
1 Large Soup / Stew Serving Ladle 30.80 cm. 202 grams
1 Large Asparagus Server 23.00 cm. 151 grams
1 Sauce Serving Ladle - Vermeil Bowl 27.00 cm. 132 grams
1 Large Cake / Pie Serving Knife 26.50 cm. 128 grams
1 Sauce / Gravy Ladle 19.00 cm. 80 grams
1 Small Tart Server- Vermeil Blade 14.70 cm. 40 grams
1 Small Dessert Serving Scoop - Vermeil Bowl 14.30 cm. 37 grams
1 Small Dessert Serving Knife 17.00 cm. 40 grams
1 Set of Sugar Tongs 13.20 cm. 61 grams
1 Set of Sugar Tongs 12.40 cm. 54 grams
1 Pair Lobster / Crab Scissors 17.50 cm. 87 grams
1 Small Berry Serving Spoon 14.70 cm. 45 grams
1 Small Tart Server 13.80 cm. 37 grams
1 Small Dessert Serving Fork 14.00 cm. 30 grams
1 Small Dessert Serving Fork 14.50 cm. 28 grams
