Antique French Sterling Silver Set of 6 Liquor Cups

Charming set of six French sterling silver liquor cups. Delightful diminutive size, and in the form of small mugs. Decorated with elegant spiral fluting, rocailles and foliate handles. Gilt vermeil finish to the interiors. The cups measures 1 5/8″ height x 2 1/8″ wide including the handle x 1 3/8″ diameter opening. Total silver weight is 165.2 grams. Housed in the original presentation box. Box measures 8 3/8″ x 4 7/8″ x 2″ height. In overall good antique condition, the box showing some wear commensurate with age and use. Each cup is hallmarked the French Minerva 1st standard mark, which guarantees .950 purity of sterling silver, used in Paris since 1838. This is one of the most high quality silver standard, higher than .925 sterling silver. Bearing maker’s mark for Edouard Ernie, active 1882-1901 at 7 rue Réaumur, Paris. He was a son-in-law and successor of talented silversmith Jules Guétin, and associated with Henri Gabert, also a renown silversmith, before he established his own workshop.