unknown silvermarks on a spoon

[Theoderich]

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/big/4bha-22.jpg

I have no Idea. It ist not Germany.
Could be french, dutch, portuguese ...

[Theoderich]

A crowned "A" - it looks like Paris - like this
viewtopic.php?t=15054
- could it be?

[blakstone]

These do appear to be genuine pre-revolutionary Paris marks. The “A” is the large charge mark of tax farmer Henri Clavel, in use 31 Aug 1782 — 23 Feb 1789. The crowned “P” is the Warden’s mark, also called the date-letter, Jurande mark or Maison Commune mark. The last two digits of the year appear between the crown and the letter, but are very worn here; the shape of the letter, though, shows it be that of 1787 (which was actually used through most of 1788, from 11 Jul 1787 to 12 Nov 1788).

The mark you show blown up in the box is the large discharge (décharge) mark of Clavel’s successor Jean-François Kalandrin, used from 23 Feb 1789 — 20 Mar 1791. This is odd, because the discharge mark should be from the same period as the charge mark. It’s not impossible, however, that the spoon was started in November of 1788 and not finished until February of 1789; the charge mark was struck a piece in the rough, and the discharge mark only after it was finished.

Still, I keep trying to make out Clavel’s discharge mark out of the little mark next to (almost touching) the “A”, but it just doesn’t look like it to me. (It was called the “dog’s head”, though it actually looked more like a lion). I must confess I can’t think of what this little mark might be.

The remaining mark, though, is the maker’s mark, unfortunately so worn as to be completely illegible.

So I guess three out of five isn’t too bad, and at least enough to narrow it down to Paris, 1787/89.

[Theoderich]

Good job blakstone.
Thank you very much.
I will call the spoon "Revolution Spoon". :-)

[Theoderich]

There ist a "L" on the left site
and a Sword in the center.

[blakstone]

Well, the most I can say here is that the maker's mark is possibly that of Louis-Julien Anthiaume (Master 6 Sep 1779; still working 1792). His mark was LJ/A, centered by a royal baton and surmounted by a crowned fleur-de-lys. He was a prolific flatware maker of the period, and I think I can make out an "A" at the bottom of your mark.

Still can't make anything out of the other mark.

I think I have a piece by Anthiaume from the same era; I'll try to post the marks for comparison. (Though it might take me a while.)

[Theoderich]

You are the best blakstone. :-)
I think you are right.
It seams to be an "A" ist on the bottom.


If you have any pieces with silvermarks - than you can help to complete the Encyclopedia.
I hope, that 925-1000.com will be the best completed Silvermarks-Encyclopedia.

[blakstone]

Sorry it took so long, but here are some photos of my Anthiaume piece: a fiddle thread fork. The marks, left to right, are:

Charge: Henri Clavel, large silver articles, used 31 Aug 1782-22 Feb 1789
Maison Commune: Paris, probably 11 Jul 1787-11 Nov 1788 (the same as on your piece)
Maître-Orfèvre: Louis-Julien Anthiaume, master 6 Sep 1779
Décharge: Henri Clavel, small silver/gold articles, used 7 Mar 1786-22 Feb 1789

(The circular mark at the shoulder - not shown enlarged - is the Paris large garantie mark of 1819-1838, a later addition.)

Hope this helps!

[Theoderich]

Louis-Julien Anthiaume
it is indeed same mark.
You are absolute right.

Thank You Blakstone.

[Theoderich]

I think I have a match