Unknown Makers mark on French Sugar Sifter

[gilm]

we have not been able to identify the maker of a 950 silver sugar-sifter. Can anyone identify the maker through the attached mark?



The Sugar Sifter



The mark

[Zilver2]

The maker's mark ARDJ belongs to Joseph Crossard, manufacturer silversmith operating at 36 rue de Montmorency, Paris.
Mark entered : 10 April 1900
Mark cancelled : 15 April 1920
Symbol : a crossier (une crosse).
N° de garantie : C301
N° de préfecture : 11759
Successors : Crossard & Dogit (1920-1931)

[AG2012]

Hi,

we have not been able to identify the maker of a 950 silver sugar-sifter

Did I missed something ?
What makes you think it`s 950 silver ?
Posted in silverplate section and the mark is in a rectangle. The maker had his silver mark in a lozenge.
Regards

[Zilver2]

Hi,
It is indeed the maker's mark of Crossard for silverplate, but he had also the same mark in a lozenge for .950 silver.
Regards

[JayT]

Agree that this item is silverplate as shown by the maker's mark in a square. The length of the spoon is not mentioned, but it looks to me like part of an hors d'oeuvre service. The bowl of the spoon is not deep enough to be a sugar sifter, and by the early 20th century when this piece was made, sugar was served in the form of either lumps or granulated, which didn'r require sifting.

[gilm]

Thank you all for your comments and identifying the makers mark.

The 950 Minerva(1) mark is on the silver handle base a couple of mm above the connection of the handle and bowl.

Due to the gilt lower section the sifter(?)/strainer was more than likely used with acidic fruits, e.g., olives, etc.