Antique French cutlery

We all enjoy laying a table for a holiday meal.  The time of year when our table settings, be they for four or for twenty four, may legitimately sparkle a little more than usual.

I'm lucky enough to have found some beautiful antique cutlery, ideal for adding a little French zazz to your festive table.  Here are a couple of each.  These knives, forks and spoons are so well balanced, it's a pleasure to hold them.

Besides the beautiful horn handled knives, in sets of six and sets of twelve, I also have twelve stunning silver plate forks and spoons, made by the famous French coutelier Christofle.  Although these are at least 70 years old I believe they have never served, there isn't the slightest sign of wear, the tiniest scratch.

Serving cutlery tends to be slightly more showy and adds an elegant touch to  carving a turkey, or serving a salad.

this stunning set of 100 year old  four servers include a pair of horn and silver salad servers, and a 

beautiful carving knife and fork, complete with a finger guard on the fork.

this pretty boxed set of silver plated servers would probably have been 

designed for serving small cakes and petits fours

this delicately patterned gilt and silver spoon is designed for serving strawberries.

Tomorrow I plan to start telling you how we decorate for Christmas.
In the meantime, what do you think of these snowflakes falling on my blog ?
Kitsch, pretty, annoying, dreamy?