A large part-service of French flatware, maker's mark FJ, retailed by Chaumet & Cie, Paris, circa 1918

laurel leaf, shell and ribbon-tied reed pattern, many of the blades, prongs and bowls similarly engraved, the terminals struck or engraved with the initials ARP in monogram, comprising:
thirteen tablespoons
eighteen table forks
forty-nine dessert spoons
twelve dessert forks
eighteen asparagus eaters
seven fruit ladles
forty-nine sorbet spoons
fifty-one oyster forks
four strawberry serving spoons
seven fried egg or macaroni shovels
five ice cream shovels
two soup ladles
two pairs of salad servers
two punch ladles
eight mustard ladles
thirteen coffee spoons
two sugar sifters
eight pierced hors d’oeuvre spoons
five pierced hors d’oeuvre forks
twelve teapoons
nine ice cream knives (three with gilt blades)
six butter knives
three small sauce ladles
two sauce ladles
an egg spoon
twelve two-pronged escargot forks
twenty-nine melon knives
fourteen melon forks
a pair of grape scissors
a pair of sugar tongs
a spirit ladle
a cake slice
eight pickle forks
fifty-one two-pronged hors d’oeuvre forks
five serving spoons
thirteen fish forks
twenty-five fish knives
four fish serving forks
six sardine forks
the following the silver blades and prongs and loaded silver handles:
fourteen fruit knives
fourteen fruit forks
the following with loaded silver handles:
twenty-two metal nut crackers
the following with steel or stainless steel blades:
thirty-nine table knives
thrity-six cheese knives
three carving knives
two carving forks
fifteen serving knives (various)
and the following early 20^th Century English stainless steel and electroplate items:
two pairs of carvers
a pair of fish servers

Overall pretty good condition, has veen rarely used. A few knives coming apart at junction of blade and handle
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This flatware and the accompanying lots in this sale formed part of a service commissioned in 1917 from Chaumet & Co, the Parisian jewellers, by Simón Iturri Patiño (1862-1947), the mining pioneer known as ‘el Rey del Estaño’ (the King of Tin), for his wife Albina Rodriguez (c. 1873-1953).

Chaumet, the celebrated Parisian jeweller, is said to have been established in the late 18^th Century by Marie-Etienne Nitot (1750-1809). His son and successor, François-Regnault Nitot was in turn succeeded by Jean-Baptiste Fossin (1786-1809). The latter was eventually joined by his son, Jules-Jean- François Fossin (1808-1869) and during the reign of Louis-Philippe the firm (by then styled Fossin & Fils) was appointed ‘joilliers du Ruoi et de famille royale.’ The Fossins, father and son, retired respectively in 1845 and 1862, after which the business was continued by Jean-Prosper Morel (1825-after 1891), son of the jeweller and goldsmith, Jean-Valentin Morel (1794-1860). Prosper Morel’s son-in-law, Joseph Chaumet (1852-1928) took control of the firm in 1889. He opened a London branch of Chaumet in 1905 and today the firm continues with further boutiques and outlets in Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, Moscow and elsewhere.