The complete 12-place cutlery set by Laparra & Gabriel, produced in Paris in the early twentieth century, is an important example of French table silver. Laparra & Gabriel, known for the production of high-quality silverware, belonged to the distinguished Parisian tradition of goldsmithing and silversmithing, characterised by technical precision, refined decoration, and careful hallmarking.
The service includes a comprehensive assortment of cutlery, comprising forks, knives, spoons, and teaspoons designed to meet the requirements of a formal table setting. Furthermore, the richness of the ensemble reflects a dining culture still closely linked to the social rituals of the European bourgeoisie and aristocracy between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
From a stylistic perspective, the richly decorated handles display a refined yet balanced ornamental taste, fully consistent with French production of the period. The hallmarks, including the L – mouse – G mark within a lozenge, together with the additional stamps, allow the set to be attributed to the manufacturer and attest to its quality of execution.
Particularly noteworthy is the original Guillemin Frères, Paris, wooden chest, which preserves and enhances the ensemble while emphasising its integrity and collectible character. Overall, this 12-place setting is a work of considerable interest for collectors of antique French silver. It is valued not only for the weight and completeness of the service, but also for its craftsmanship and the elegance of its original presentation.
Description: Laparra & Gabriel cutlery set comprising 24 dinner forks, 12 small forks, 12 dinner knives, 24 small knives, 12 tablespoons, 12 dessert spoons, 12 teaspoons, and 12 coffee spoons. Richly decorated handles, bearing the maker’s mark L – mouse – G within a lozenge and an additional hallmark, total weight gr. 5,294, dinner knife length cm 25 – chest H cm 19x48x31. (Knives calculated at one-third of their weight.)
Notes: Housed in the original Guillemin Frères, Paris, wooden chest.
Hammer Price: € 5.500,00
