FRANCE, Louis XIV period (1643-1715), last quarter of the 17th century Set of four small spoons in gilt silver (950), with flat handles engraved with flowers on a hatched background, a spatula in the form of a brace with a small stinger and a spoon decorated with a hollowed rat-tail forming the rib of a large engraved leaf. And a similar one, with different floral decoration. Poinçon de Décharge [fleur de lys on ring] of PARIS for 1681-1684. Total weight: 31 g. - Length: 10.5 cm. Wear, scratches, a few bumps, small sting missing from one, restoration to one spoon (the different one). Black Moroccan sheath (damaged). Provenance: Given by Jacques HELFT to the owner's father. Bibliography: To be compared with the vermeil table cover dating from 1685-1686 and the six small vermeil spoons dating from 1691-1694, by the Parisian silversmith Jean II VILLAIN, active until 1694. In J. Kugel, Orfèvrerie françaises. La collection Jourdan-Barry, Paris, 2005, T. I, n° 32 and 40 ; T. II, pp. 20 and 24.