E. Viners? Dish

[joburn88]

Have another one that's giving me trouble -

This dish has what looks like "E * V" in a Diamond stamp and "S" in another.

There are no other markings visible.

What do you think?

[AG2012]

Hi,
The maker is
Elie Vabre
Initials E.V.
Symbol ``five pointed star`` (une étoile à cinq pointes)
Paris, 25 rue Palestro
Registered April 15, 1913
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_makers_E.html
For French marks see here
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_menu.html


Regards

[AG2012]

It`s not plated but solid silver.Minerva head mark is explained in the link above.

[joburn88]

Wonderful! So, the mark next to the makers mark is the Minerva mark indicating .925 Sterling? I can't quite make out the detail of the design. With French Marks, is the shape of the outline and the fact that it's marked on silver enough to tell its the Minerva mark?

[AG2012]

Hello again,
Right, the shape of the mark is consistent with Minerva head for .925.
It`s easier when you know what to search for because marks are not always perfectly struck or worn.
Examples of Minerva mark (your mark is on top).
Regards

[JayT]

Just to add to AG2012's excellent post: the French silver standard was 950 until 1972, so a bit higher silver content than 925 silver. In 1972 France was forced to adopt the sterling standard to comply with EC regulations.

[blakstone]

It should be noted that, in the above images of the Minerva mark, the second mark in the second row is NOT an authentic French Minerva mark. It is a pseudo-mark used in the United States on American made, but French-style, silver made for the New Orleans market. It is not known if this mark was added by the manufacturer or retailer, though it does appear to be unique to New York-made silver retailed by Hyde & Goodrich (and their successors) of New Orleans.

[joburn88]

Great. Thanks for the information everyone. Originally I was looking at the mark upside down and couldnt make out the Minerva head to save my life! Best I could do was some kind of dragon. XD

Thanks again!