Nice set of 6 fruit knives crafted from antique Kazuka handles set with .800 French silver blades. The handles are decorated with fearsome warriors, armed and scowling on a textured ground, the upper portion mottled with stylized clouds. Not sure of the metal content of the handles. Looks like a coppery bronze with gold accents. The blades bear the marks of Gustave Marmuse, active in Paris in 1868, the guarantee for .800 silver and the royal arms for Prince Dmitri Olsoufief of Russia. Since the prince is more or less contemporaneous, it is likely the crest, as well as the monogram, was applied later. Condition is very good. There are no notable flaws. Prince Olsoufief is by reputation a discerning collector of fine silver and antiques; evidently the set benefited from excellent care.
Dimensions: 8.5" in length, width a little over 1/2" at the widest. The term 'Kozuka' references either the blades or the sheaths of small Japanese daggers crafted and carried by Samurai warriors. The handles offered here are genuine antique Japanese sheaths. The quality is very fine.

Antique Silver
Misc. Antique Silver