silver and silverware

The silverware constituted for the families a means of showing their fortune and of establishing their credit: the pieces of silverware were presented on specious pieces of furniture called argentiers.

It also constituted a reserve of money that could be sold or pawned to meet an unexpected expense. This is how King Louis XIV sent his silverware, including important furniture (chests of drawers, consoles, candelabras, pourers, mustard pots, cutlery, etc.), to the monaie to be melted down. This melting cost 10% of the weight of silver.