A FINE LOUIS XVI SILVER-GILT DESSERT-SERVICE

MAKER'S MARK OF JEAN-JACQUES KIRSTEIN, STRASBOURG, 1788-1789

Details

A FINE LOUIS XVI SILVER-GILT DESSERT-SERVICE
MAKER'S MARK OF JEAN-JACQUES KIRSTEIN, STRASBOURG, 1788-1789
Fiddle, thread and shell pattern, each piece engraved with coat-of-arms beneath Marquess' coronet, comprising:
- twelve dessert-spoons
- twelve dessert-forks
- twelve dessert-knives with silver-gilt blades stamped Kirstein
- twelve teaspoons
in original green leather case with two drawers
2268 gr. (72 oz.) (48)

Provenance

According to family tradition, this service was given by the Dauphine to Abbé Claude-Charles de Mostuéjouls, who had been Sous-Précépteur des Enfants de France, in 1760. He was particularly responsible for the Comte de Provence who later became King Louis XVIII. He subsequently became Abbé of Catus, Quercy and of Saint-Vincent de Senlis. From 1772 until 1790, his title at the Royal Court was Premier Aumônier de Madame.
Thence by family descent to the present owner.

Lot Essay

Jean-Jacques Kirstein was one of the leading silversmiths in Strasbourg. He is especially famous for the dressing table-service he made in 1786 for Prince Maximilian of Deux-Ponts Birkenfeld, Colonel Propriétaire du Régiment d'Alsace à Strasbourg who became, in 1806, the first King of Bavaria, and his first wife, Augusta Wilhelmine von Hesse-Darmstadt. A toilet-mirror from this service is now in the Strasbourg Museum.

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