posted 09-15-2016 11:50 AM            

Dear Silver Salon Experts

I am a hobby silver enthusiast and new collector. This is my first purchase of silver flatware service an Estate sale and it has 168 pieces. It came from a Swiss estate in the French speaking part of Switzerland near Geneva.

The silver was not treated very well in the past years – it was stored in a damp room and there has been considerable corrosion to the knives. Furthermore, it was placed in a silver bath before it was put up for sale. I have the original chest with fitted trays lined in suede and leather.

I was of the understanding that the flatware is from Puiforcat due to the makers makings on the flatware. However the original chest as well as carving knife and fork have Touron inscribed on the blades as does the brass lock of the chest. I have uploaded photos in my gallery.

Do any experts know if this flatware has been manufactured by Puiforcat or Touron? Is there any relationship between these two manufacturers?

Is there a way to date this service and does the pattern have a name?

Thank you in advance for the support and help.

Barbara

posted 09-15-2016 02:09 PM            

Please see How to Post Photos using the Silver Salon Forums Photo Gallery

posted 09-16-2016 12:36 PM            

The markings on the blades of the knives you show is that of Edme Parisot and Edouard Gallois. They were active in Paris from May 6, 1865 until February 6, 1895. Parisot succeeded August Touron and adopted and used Touron's name and marking. Parisot registered these marks in 1842, 1855, and with Gallois in 1865. He had his knife Blades made out of steel in the Haute-Marne which he then took and mounted to his silver handles in his Paris workshop.

Parisot received a gold medal at the universal exposition in 1867 which is referenced in the marking on the blades of your knives.

I do not know of any relationship between Parisot and Puiforcat, but I am not an expert so my not knowing doesn't really mean anything one way or the other.

I am happy that you have saved this set of poorly cared for flatware and are giving it a new life. I am a saddened, though, that someone decided to dunk it in a bath of tarnish remover before you received it. Such and action does remove the tarnish, but it also removes all of the patina of over 100 years. I cannot tell from the photos for sure, but it also looks like someone might have put this set to a buffing wheel - if that is the case then that is one more indignity this set has suffered. No silver should ever come near a buffing wheel after it is made as buffing wheels quickly remover silver metal and permanently reduce the sharpness of the original details.

I am sorry that I do not know the pattern name. Hopefully one of our experts in French silver will be able to help you with that, and perhaps also with the maker(s) once you are able to post a nice crisply focused image of all of the markings.

posted 09-16-2016 01:34 PM            

This is valuable information and its greatly appreciated.

I have grown quite attached to the set in a few days. It does make me emotional when I read the evaluation of Kimo. I believe that you are right with the buffing - I see it especially on the bowls of the spoons where the EP markings are almost buffed away. Some pieces have pattern details which are crisper than others.

I have taken some pictures and have tried to capture the markings as well as my iPhone allows.

The knives give me the most headaches. I'm afraid of touching them at all with any tarnish remover as I don't know what happened to them. They are quite black. And have some rust and corrosion. I am afraid of using anything on them at all for fear of damaging them even more.

Overall the set has an acidic smell about it which my other silver set (modern Towle) does not have.

If there is any "first aid" that I could do now before consulting with a silver restaurateur (next month earliest) please let me know.

Warm thanks again
Barbara

posted 09-16-2016 07:56 PM            

I am still not able to make out the markings. Do you have any family or friends who own a regular digital camera that you might borrow for a few minutes to take a more detailed photo. You will need to put the settings on "macro" which is the setting with the icon of a little flower. That will allow you to get the lens very, very close to the silver and give you a nice clear close up.

I do not know what exact type of steel was used in the blades by the Parisot and Gallois company so I cannot give you useful advice on how to care for it or remove any rust or black oxidation. I would think, though, that this kind of damage would not just be on the surface, but to some extent have worked its way down into the metal. Perhaps some experts in restoration of old steel might be able to offer some practical advice?

posted 09-16-2016 08:37 PM            

The upper image was the best I could do with what you posted. I added the lower image ... perhaps it will help the discussion.