70-pc Reed & Barton Francis I Sterling Silver Dinner Service (setting For 12+)

  

Welcome to Antiques & Moore! This listing is for a gorgeous Reed & Barton "Francis I" Sterling Silver dinner size flatware set with a 5-piece service for 12 plus 6 additional teaspoons and 4 serving pieces. The "Francis I" pattern was designed by Ernest Meyer for Reed & Barton in 1906. It is one of the most popular silver flatware patterns ever produced with its elaborate Acanthus & Fruit design on the handle. 12 dinner knives - measure 9 5/8.

12 dinner forks - measure 7 3/4. 12 salad forks - measure 6 1/8. 18 teaspoons - measure 5 7/8. 12 cream soup spoons - measure 5 7/8.

1 small cold meat fork - measures 7 7/8. 1 pierced serving spoon - measures 8 1/4.

1 regular serving spoon - measures 8 1/4. 1 tablespoon - measures 7 1/8. PLEASE NOTE: THE BUTTER SPREADER AND COCKTAIL FORK SHOWN IN OUR PHOTOS HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SET. THE NUMBER OF PIECES INCLUDED IN THIS SET IS CORRECT!

The set is in excellent Estate condition and ALL pieces are marked with the old "Reed & Barton" hallmarks and "Sterling". The knives have Sterling handles with the blade being silver plated steel. Total weight of silver (excluding knives) is 3096 grams.

Ernest Meyer was a brilliant French designer and created the "Francis First" pattern with the goal of rivaling the beauty and opulence of the silver created by the great Italian Renaissance silversmiths for the French Court of Francis I. The pattern consists of fifteen different designs and the creative process took three years to complete. Francis I was introduced in 1906 and was an immediate success with Royalty from all over the world purchasing this silver.

The continuing popularity of Francis I Sterling Silver led to a demand for matching service pieces and Reed & Barton over the years have created over 100 matching hollowware pieces and the addition of a silver plate line marketed as King Francis. Francis I is also my own silver pattern and since we are currently downsizing, many of these pieces are from my personal collection. Layaway is welcome, if interested please inquire! We at Antiques & Moore have been in the Antiques business for over 30 years and try to describe our items as accurately as possible. We are happy to answer any questions and always appreciate your business!

The item "70-PC REED & BARTON FRANCIS I STERLING SILVER DINNER SERVICE (SETTING FOR 12+)" is in sale since Sunday, October 25, 2009. This item is in the category "Antiques\Silver\Sterling Silver (. The seller is "antiquesandmooresales" and is located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Composition: Sterling Silver
2. Maker: Reed & Barton
3. Type: Flatware - Sets
4. Age: 1900-1940