Help with this French silver basting spoon

[rat-tail]

hi - could anyone help me identify the marks of this lovely old but somewhat well used French silver basting spoon. Not quite as long as an English one, but bigger than a table spoon. has three marks - looks like one of the french heads, 58 in a diamond and a makers mark that I can't even read under a jeweller's loop. Hoping it may ring a few bells with the experts. Thanks Frank

[2209patrick]

Hello.

Just a hunch here. I think I see a "C" at each end of the oval mark.
Check out the top mark here:
http://www.925-1000.com/a_christofle.html

Pat.

[rat-tail]

THanks, Pat, had another look under the glass and can definitely make out the first C and I think the second. the middle a little bit of a blur. Could you tell me whether this would be silver or plate, certainly feels like silver, but it also looks like a larger replica of the spoon on the site. if it's plate it is exceptionally well plated - sort of put Mappin and Webb to shame really. Also assume it would be mid to late 1900s

Thanks Frank

[2209patrick]

You're welcome Frank.

That would be Christofle's early silverplate mark (c. 1844-1862).
Their later silverplate marks were in a square and then a rectangle.
Yes, they are well known for their excellent quality silverplate.

The number 58 likely refers to the amount of silver in grams that it took to cover a certain number of these pieces.
Don't know how many pieces that was, probably around a half dozen.
http://www.925-1000.com/a_platenumbers.html

Pat.

[rat-tail]

Pat, thanks for your help and for sharing your knowledge. I wish I could find a whole canteen of this pattern in as good a condition - but I'll keep on dreaming. Regards Frank