Antique French Sterling Silver Vermeil 'Bonne Nuit' Decanter Set

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Antique French Sterling Silver Vermeil 'Bonne Nuit' Decanter Set

About the Item

In the finest French traditions, one would have a water and evening drink set available at bedside, both for guests of the Chateau or 'hotel', as a home is known, and as well for the master's chambers. Those evening refreshment sets are called 'bonne nuit' or, literally, 'good night'. It's getting rarer to find these old bonne nuit sets complete, as many have lost the tumbler (timbale) or the under plate, or the flask (flacon) fitted into the larger decanter, serving as both stopper for the larger water decanter, and also holder for an aperitif or small 'nip' of flavored liqueur. A charming tradition and a fabulous antique set to use in your own evening's 'go to bed' ritual. The set shown here has wonderfully wheel etched glass of fine quality, further enhanced by 19th century French sterling silver and 18k gold finish or 'vermeil'. The silver/gold all bears the French Minerve or Minerva mark, the tiny number "1" within those marks is the French control and guarantee of the .950/1000 pure silver (95% pure and higher than the .925 standard for "sterling" silver), and has also the 18k gold vermeil, an old process of layering gold on finest silver that results in a gilded surface. The silversmith marks have been a bit difficult, most likely for Raymond Collet, Paris c. 1911. Opulent! You'll want to have your own set, and this is an exceptional & rare one. Excellent for age and type, this set is complete as you see it. The set consists of an under plate or tray, fitted decanter that holds 16oz of fluid, and inset flask that holds roughly 1oz of liqueur, and two matching glasses or tumblers (timbale). No chips or nips or cracks in any of the glass, amazing considering age, etc. The box is original, a rare addition to a set like this and has surely helped in keeping all pieces in pristine condition! A wonderful set - ambiance and then some!

Metal:
Sterling Silver
Dimensions:
Depth: 11 in (279.4 mm)
Style:
Edwardian
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
20th CenturyEarly 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
c. 1911
Condition:
Very good to excellent, very light evidence of polishing but no damage or chips or cracks or hairlines. It's very rare to find one that is complete with one tumbler, but we've never found a boxed set with 2.
Seller Location:
San Marcos, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 512bon1stDibs: JU120506227146