A large silver menagère with a restored oval medallion of foliage, decorated with a winged torch and surmounted by a palmette, spoon clamp and fork with a laurel wreath motif, engraved R B. It includes : thirty-six large forks, eighteen large spoons, eighteen dessert forks and spoons, eighteen large knives with forged silver handles and steel blades marked Benvenisti, eighteen cheese knives with forged silver handles and steel blades marked Benvenisti, eighteen fruit knives with forged silver handles and silver blades, twenty-four teaspoons, five mignardise serving pieces, a strawberry scoop, a tart scoop, an ice-cream scoop, a salad serving set, fork and spoon formerly in vermeil, a fish serving set, large asparagus tongs, a compote spoon, a sprinkling spoon, a cheese knife with forged silver handle and steel blade. Minerve first title Master-smith : Ascanio R B for Madame Régina BENVENISTI Weight of the silver pieces: approx. 9,004 g Gross weight for the knives with silver handles and silver blades: 973 g Gross weight of the knives with silver handles and steel blades: 2,464 g ML Used condition, some wear and deformation, scratches on fork tines and steel blade with significant rust stains. All contained in a case with spandrels, figured escutcheons and retractable brass side handles containing five trays, four of which are movable in red velvet. Cracked top and bottom, traces of damp and wear to the velvet, with keys. 185 pieces Mrs Régina BENVENISTI was established at 8 rue Martel in Paris, her hallmark was registered on 4 October 1893, Licco BENVENISTI (her husband?) was also established at the same address under his own name with his own hallmark. The choice of "Ascanio" with his initials was a reference to the novel of the same name about Benvenuto CELLINI written by Alexandre DUMAS and published in 1843; we do not know the dates of BENVENISTI's strikethrough. Bibliography : David ALLAN , "Le couvert et la coutellerie de table française au XIXeme siècle", ed. Faton, Dijon, 2007 p. 292