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Christofle plate or sterling?

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Author	Topic: Christofle plate or sterling?
Marie unregistered	posted 04-22-2003 12:26 PM [21-0454] Does anyone know how to readily determine whether a piece of Christofle flatware is plate or sterling? I recently got some new Oceana serving pieces and noticed that they are stamped "sterling," among other things. I have some Oceana place settings that aren't--they are stamped "France," among other things. Could they be plate? I do not have the packaging for the settings. I received the settings from a friend and do not recall if the person told me either way. Thanks. IP: Logged
Stephen Posts: 625 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-22-2003 03:57 PM Re: "they are stamped "France," among other things. Could they be plate?" They could be. Can you describe the "other things"? [This message has been edited by Stephen (edited 04-22-2003).] IP: Logged
doobees Posts: 277 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-23-2003 03:10 AM Marie, Christofle uses these marks for their sterling (argent massif): The first before 1935, the second after 1935. The following mark was used on sterling export items: The french do not use the word "sterling" on their sterling. The french use the mark of the Tête de Minerve (pictured below): Do any of these marks match your "other things"... ------------------ Suzanne D IP: Logged
Marie unregistered	posted 04-23-2003 09:18 AM Thanks, all. I saw the following marks on the items that I think are plate: "Christofle" was stamped below a mark that I couldn't make out. "France" was stamped under a mark that had an "IOC" and a rook. The "I" is directly above the "O", which is next to the "C", like this: I OC (next to rook). I'll look at the sterling piece tonight to see what it has. Thanks again, Heather IP: Logged
threewings Posts: 22 Registered: Apr 2003	posted 04-23-2003 01:57 PM quote: OC (next to rook) Here's a photo of a Christofle silverplate mark (click on photo to enlarge): The mark on the left looks most like (but not exactly) the 1862-1935 mark in Suzanne D.'s book posted here 3-10-2003 under'Critofle'. The mark on the right looks like what Heather is describing as a rook, except that my O and C are on either side of it. Do you have a 'rook' like this in whatever that wonderful book is, Suzanne D.? Vera. IP: Logged
doobees Posts: 277 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-23-2003 04:57 PM Heather, here are a few more Christofle marks. These are their silverplate (métal argenté) marks: the first is 1844-1862, the second is 1862-1935 and the last is since 1935. The bad news is that the french maker's marks for silverplate seem to be impossible to track down. God knows I've tried! I do have a list of the silversmiths who made pieces for Christofle in the 1800s - they do not however show their marks... I'll be away a few days, but will check in with you on my return and see if I can get some clue and help with your Christofle maker's marks. ------------------ Suzanne D IP: Logged
Stephen Posts: 625 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-24-2003 10:03 PM Marie, the pieces with the "I OC rook" are definitely silverplate. Just a different version of the mark that threewings posted. These are quality marks. The French silverplate industry initiated regulations requiring these marks on French silverplate --- a response to foreign imports. (I knew you could do it, threewings. Great photo, by the way.) IP: Logged
Stephen Posts: 625 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 05-06-2003 11:35 PM Christofle has used marks with a chess knight (not a rook) on silverplated wares since 1935: O, knight, C -- 1935 to 1983. I, OC, knight -- 1983 and later. IP: Logged
Stephen Posts: 625 Registered: Jan 2003	posted 05-14-2003 11:33 AM ... and here's a piece of Christofle hotel ware, made for a hotel in France. Marked CHRISOTEL along with Christofle's quality mark (I, OC, Knight). IP: Logged

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