An Extra large gilt bronze paper knife by Charles Maurice Favre Bertin (France 1887-1960).
 
He was a 20th century French sculptor and ceramist, a student of G. Greber and C. Monni.

Charles Maurice Favre Bertin began his studies at ‘Salon des Artistes Français’ in 1920, where he received a gold medal in 1929 and a medal of honour in 1956 for the decorative Arts Section.
 
The design of the knife is of a Hollyhocks plant, this is a very rare large knife with a length of 34.5cm (13.5Inches). The condition and casting is very good, signed M. Bertin, Stock NO443.

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea), a veteran of the cottage garden, bloom in the middle of the summer on long spikes covered in a profusion of flowers.

In addition to serving as a host plant for painted lady butterfly larvae, hollyhocks also draw other pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, which help the butterflies’ life cycles.