Henin & Cie + Ernest Compere in the same box

[dalecath]

Hi
I have a 24 piece box set of desert spoons & forks, though they are all exactly the same model they are by two different makers Henin & Cie- Ernest compere, is this something that the French are known for or is this a first.

(Admin edit)

[oel]

Hi,

Perhaps the complete set has been collected/replacement by the owner(s) during a certain time period and bought by two different silversmiths who carried both the same popular cutlery set in their stock. I believe it to be a rather common practice.
The first maker's mark see:Henin & Cie
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_H.html
The 2nd maker's mark see: Ernest Compère (reg. 1868-88)
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_E.html


Oel.

[dalecath]

Hi oel
thanks,they are also monogramed with initials HP and all in a fitted box.
I understand the guy who's initials are on the cutlery, are a French stone mason who went to Paris for many years with his brothers after the French revaluations and rebuilt the hotel de vile which was badly damaged by fire.

[dalecath]

Here is the boxed set.

[JayT]

As oel says this set could have been collected over time, or perhaps purchased from a retailer all at once just for the pattern called Filet. If it was the pattern that was important to the buyer, then the maker would have been secondary. I doubt there was any maker who didn't make this pattern, a classic.

Wonderful that you have provenance on your set. The Hotel de Ville in Paris was burned to the ground in 1871 during the Commune, and rebuilt during 1874-1882. As a side note, the flames took with them precious archives, including information about Parisian silver makers, thus making research much more difficult.

Enjoy your set!