French Sugar Tongs~Assistance with this makers mark please

[dartsil]

Can anyone assist with the makers mark on these pair of Sugar Tongs which I have taken from a much bigger set.

The marks are very small so have had to take through a jewellers loupe , I think there descent enough to make out.

Minerva 950 finese mark as well as this NV mark with * mark above and below... Could also be AV mark if viewed the other way?

Looking for maker and from that a probable age. I would guess probably late 19th century?

[Zilver2]

The maker's mark belongs to Nicolas Vautrin who was active from 1844 till 1862.
Symbol : a crescent over two stars and a pellet between the letters N and V.

[dartsil]

Many thanks for this information.

Hopefully 925-1000.com can use this image to further update the French makers section of the site.