Dole silversmith identification request

[SilverK]

Hi,

I'm trying this again, but with a different subject heading and text in the hope that someone is able to identify the maker for me.

This French spoon is extremely clearly marked and whilst I've had some success using Tardy and the 925-1000 encyclopedia, I still need help! I believe this was made in Dole by a Dole silversmith (as indicated by the demi-lion over a sunburst) and that it has a Besançon (1783) mark and a Dole (1784) mark.

Breaking it down:

1. Mirrored C below a crown for Besançon (Tardy 5th ed. pg 144);
2. Maker’s mark which appears to be a J above a demi-lion above a sunburst above 'AS'.
3. Besançon mark for 1783 (Tardy 5th ed. pg 144);
4. Dole mark for 1784 (925-1000 encyclopedia). I note from Wikipedia, that Dole had just 9,000 inhabitants 9 years later!

As always, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Silverk.

[blakstone]

Jacques-Antoine Senard, born 21 Nov 1746 in Dole. Apprenticed 1767-1773 to Pierre-Ignace-Joachim Thiebaud in Salins, master 7 Jul 1773 in Lons-le-Saunier and 9 Sep 1782 in Dole. He was the warden of the Dole guild 8 Dec 1783 to 11 Jan 1785.

The date letter “Z” here was used from 21 Feb 1788 to 23 Jan 1789 (by Dole warden Joseph Hubert). Dole was under the jurisdiction of the Besancon mint, hence that city’s mark.

There is no record of Senard's death, but a Claude-Antoine Senard, likely his brother, died in Dole on 16 May 1805, age 64.

Hope this helps!

Ref: Solange Brault-Lerch, Les orfevres de Franche-Comte et de la principaute de Montbeliard (Geneva: Librairie Droz, 1976), pp. 474-475

[SilverK]

Hi blakstone,

This is very helpful indeed, thank you! I appreciate the authoritative information greatly, especially with its reference.

Best regards,

silverk.