Antique French Silver Plate Fish Serving Set in Leather Box

A Sunday morning at a Paris flea market yielded this elegant antique English fish service set — a serving knife and fork that lived for decades in Patricia and Walter's Paris apartment, brought out whenever fish came to the table. "I just love silver serving pieces," Patricia exclaims. The two pieces rest in a dark leather-covered box lined with teal satin and navy velvet, brass clasps still intact. The blades and tines are silver plated, engraved with fine scrolling floral detail that catches the light beautifully. Pale ivory-toned handles are fitted with silver collars at the join. The fork carries four slender tines; the knife a broad, flat blade designed precisely for serving a whole fish at the table.