FRENCH SILVER LADDLE/LOUIS RAINET & CHARLES DENFERT/19C

19 C FRENCH SILVER SERVING FLATWARE

13" LADDLE

This a beautiful and elegant 19 C laddle from France. 

This is a sturdy handcrafted silver piece with simple but striking lines. The bowl of the laddle is 3 1/2" in diameter.  In the bowl of the laddle there are two marks.  One of them is in a square indentation and is the maker's mark. It reads "R & D" below a clover leaf.  This is the mark of Louis Rainet and Charles Denfert who worked in the late 19 C.  This laddle has been in the family all this time. Another mark is difficult to read but fits in a more rectangular imprint.  It could have the letters "N ,I,C"The depth of the bowl is about 1".  The end of the handle is 1 1/4" wide.  The handle is well rounded and changes for the 1 1/4" width to a rounded 1/4 of an inch close to the bowl.   The quality of this silver piece is seen by its smooth lines all over.  All edges are well-rounded. A median raised form brings shine to the handle. The laddle weighs 1/2 lb.  It does not look silverplated, has a beautiful shine and is in very good condition.