Antique French Fruit/Empire knife identification

[burkefj]

I have two antique french fruit/empire style knives. Both have steel blades. One has an unlock lever on the spine the other does not. One is pearl with gold the other is ivory with gold. One had partial case included. The marks on the blades are pretty rudimentary and I can't find anything on them. They are well made with a taper/pinch on the end.
From what I've read these could be 1780's to 1830's? Any more information/confirmation would be great.(ignore the graveline couteau d'amis above the last photo I just took a picture of the knives in my display case)

 

[brownshoe]

What makes them fruit knives?

 

[burkefj]

Well, they are the style which would normally come with a silver or gold bladed knife as well for fruit, but that's why I also used the empire term as well. I see these referenced in that way, but I'm trying to learn if there are better terms. The couteau d'amis I have is a similar style as all but obviously splits into two.

 

[Jolipapa]

In fact the Empire knives appeared under Louis the XVth. They were reserved to the upper class who used them more as ornaments than real tools. Some with stronger blades were used for hunting.
Chatellerault had a great reputation for such knives, but they were also made in Paris, Nogent and Moulins, often with precious materials.
The bolster is shaped like a three-cornered hat (tricorne) as worn during the XVIIIth. These knife have been made between the end of the XVIIItth and the beginning of the XIXth in relatively small numbers.
These are particularly beautiful. Today M Herrero is one of the few able to reproduce them.

 

[waynorth]

About French knives - ask a Frenchman!!:thumbup:

Bladeforums come in a lot of flavors!!