Antique French Hatelet Skewer with Dolphin Motif (c. 1900)

This extraordinary antique skewer is a piece of culinary history, dating to around 1900 and marked “FRANCE.” Measuring 9-½" in length, its ornate handle is adorned with entwined dolphin heads, detailed with scrolling foliage and floral accents. The decorative finial measures 2" wide by 1-5/8" tall, and the entire sterling silver piece remains in as-found condition—untouched and unpolished—showing only the rich patina of age. Its preservation is excellent, with crisp details throughout.

A hatelet skewer is a traditional French presentation piece used in the grand kitchens of the 19th and early 20th centuries. These ornamental skewers, often fashioned in silver or silverplate, were inserted into roasts or elaborate dishes to both secure and embellish them for service at the table. With their finely cast designs, they bridged the line between the practical and the artistic, turning meals into spectacles.

Today, this skewer makes a striking collectible or display item—whether kept in a kitchen as a nod to culinary history, displayed in a shadow box, or enjoyed as a conversation piece. A rare and elegant survivor of France’s gilded dining traditions.