www.925-1000.com

I just bought a French sterling mustard pot online. Please see the images below. It has the 950 Minerva mark, I believe, but the maker's mark is partially worn off. Can someone please help me decipher this? Thanks in advance.

Hello
Your item was made by A. Risler & Carré, trading at 16 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré in Paris from 1897-1912.
See here:

https://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_R.html

Just to clarify, 950 standard silver, as shown by the Minerva head mark in an octagonal reserve, is higher grade than sterling silver, which is 925 standard.

Regards

Thank you! Wow, since this maker was active from 1897 to 1912, that makes this item over 100 years old, which is amazing. Any idea why they were only in business for 15 years or so?

You’re welcome.
I don’t know the specific reason that R&C went out of business, but the time leading up to WW I, and then the war years saw many, many silver manufacturing companies go under in France.
Regards.

JayT wrote:You’re welcome.
I don’t know the specific reason that R&C went out of business, but the time leading up to WW I, and then the war years saw many, many silver manufacturing companies go under in France.
Regards.

Ah yes, WWI would explain it. Very tragic and unfortunate.

Thank you.