![Suite of twelve table knives.
Blackened wooden handles with "GB" monogrammed escutcheon and silver ferrules (min. 800).
Steel blades, saber-tipped, marked "Au singe violet".
PARIS, 1819-1838 [hare's head hallmark].
Pommel ferrules exempt from hallmarking because made before 1838 (art. 524bis du CGI paragraph a).
Total gross weight: 588 g. - Total length: 24.5 cm.
A few knocks, all handles cracked.
In a later Achille Petit case (damaged).
Martin-Guillaume BIENNAIS (1764-1843), received the title of Maître tabletier in 1788 in Paris, when he took over the business of tabletier Claude-Louis Anciaux. From 1790 to 1819, he set up shop at 283 rue Saint Honoré in Paris under the sign "au Singe Violet".
Having agreed to supply the First Consul on credit, Bonaparte, once Emperor, made him his official goldsmith.
This series of knives dates from the very end of his production, as can be seen from the hallmark on the ferrules.](https://cdn.drouot.com/d/lot/fullHD/58/179568/1ee525e51ed77a66076eeb63f798521e)
Suite of twelve table knives. Blackened wooden handles with "GB" monogrammed escutcheon and silver ferrules (min. 800). Steel blades, saber-tipped, marked "Au singe violet". PARIS, 1819-1838 [hare's head hallmark]. Pommel ferrules exempt from hallmarking because made before 1838 (art. 524bis du CGI paragraph a). Total gross weight: 588 g. - Total length: 24.5 cm. A few knocks, all handles cracked. In a later Achille Petit case (damaged). Martin-Guillaume BIENNAIS (1764-1843), received the title of Maître tabletier in 1788 in Paris, when he took over the business of tabletier Claude-Louis Anciaux. From 1790 to 1819, he set up shop at 283 rue Saint Honoré in Paris under the sign "au Singe Violet". Having agreed to supply the First Consul on credit, Bonaparte, once Emperor, made him his official goldsmith. This series of knives dates from the very end of his production, as can be seen from the hallmark on the ferrules.
Estimate
€350 - €450
Result
€450
Buyer's premium
26.4%
Suite of twelve table knives.
Blackened wooden handles with "GB" monogrammed escutcheon and silver ferrules (min. 800).
Steel blades, saber-tipped, marked "Au singe violet".
PARIS, 1819-1838 [hare's head hallmark].
Pommel ferrules exempt from hallmarking because made before 1838 (art. 524bis du CGI paragraph a).
Total gross weight: 588 g. - Total length: 24.5 cm.
A few knocks, all handles cracked.
In a later Achille Petit case (damaged).
Martin-Guillaume BIENNAIS (1764-1843), received the title of Maître tabletier in 1788 in Paris, when he took over the business of tabletier Claude-Louis Anciaux. From 1790 to 1819, he set up shop at 283 rue Saint Honoré in Paris under the sign "au Singe Violet".
Having agreed to supply the First Consul on credit, Bonaparte, once Emperor, made him his official goldsmith.
This series of knives dates from the very end of his production, as can be seen from the hallmark on the ferrules.