posted 04-15-2005 11:04 PM            

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Do the marks on French silver give anywhere near as much information [as British marks] to the examiner?

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In a word: no. There are really only two things that one can glean from 1838-1973 French marks. First is the silver quality – easily determined by both the number in the Minerva mark and its outline(1/canted rectangle = .950; and 2/barrel shape = .800). Second is the city of manufacture (or, at least assay) which is coded by a special sign, called a différent, within the mark. The absence of the différent means it was assayed in Paris – which would be the case, I’d guess, with about 95% of the French silver you’ll come across. As for the 5% that does have a différent, there’s a list of these in Tardy but, of course, without the information that might actually help date it: the closure date of the many provincial offices.

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So what I really want to know is, when coming across a piece of French silver, what does one look for in order to identify it?

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Well, as always, style and construction are the very best indicators of an item’s age. A thorough understanding of these is absolutely crucial to dating silver, and with French silver after 1838, pretty much one’s only guide. There’s a marvelous old book that I highly recommend if you can find it: L’Orfèvrerie du XIXe Siècle en Europe by Serge Grandjean (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1962). Be forewarned: it is almost entirely text, in French, with only a handful of color plates, and the information on marks is pretty much useless. But it is a fantastic overview of the development of French styles and techniques from the Revolution to the Third Republic.

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Also, is there one reference book out there that could be considered indispensable when it comes to French silver and its marks?

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Yes. If – and only if - you’re serious about French silver, then the indespensible bible would be the two volumes by Catherine Arminjon et al.:

Dictionnaire des poinçons de fabricants d'ouvrages d'or et d'argent de Paris et de la Seine: 1798-1838 [Cahier de l'Inventaire N° 25] (Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1991)

Dictionnaire des poinçons de fabricants d'ouvrages d'or et d'argent de Paris et de la Seine 1838-1875 [Cahier de l'Inventaire N°27] (Paris: Imprimerie Nationale, 1994)

They were expensive ($200+ each) when they came out, and are probably more so now that they’re (I think) out of print. But they have what you want. Produced in co-operation with the Paris assay office and the French government, they have a photo of every mark registered in Paris (but not the provinces!) during the respective periods covered (1798-1838 and 1838-1875), with each maker’s name, address and years working.

There was a third volume planned covering 1875-1917, but it’s been a long time since I’ve heard any more about it. But, for later turn-of-the century (ca. 1888-1914) Paris maker’s marks, you’re in luck. (And I confess that it only with the greatest reluctance that I reveal one of my secrets, but what the heck, it’s a public site.) Go to: Ministère de la culture – marque

You can search a Parisian maker’s mark there by the initials, name or device. It’s in French, of course, and the interface is more than a little odd, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty nifty.

Hope this helps!