CLI:CHRETIEN

[amena]

Yesterday I found two old forks,very spoiled, nothing special, but I was intrigued by the words, punched, not engraved
CLI.CHRETIEN


I think it's not the owner's name, but I can not imagine what it is.
Does anyone have a hypothesis?
Thanks
Amena

[Joerg]

Hi Amena
French forks, Louis-Philippe period. The letters are crudely punched. An apprentice in a silversmith shop whould have been sacked for this.
I conclude the stamping was done fast with little need for representation.
Could CLI be a Roman number, 151? Would explain the lower quality of the stamping, lot of flatware to be stamped...
CHRETIEN is French for Christian. It is also a family name. Maybe it is the owner, though, and 151 is an inventory number?
Do both forks have the CLI?
So inventory marks. Just an idea.
Regards, Jörg

[amena]

Thanks Joerg for the answer.
I had not thought about CLI as Roman numerals, it could be a way to explore. The two forks have the same letters CLI.
I think that a person or a family would have the name, or initials, or crest engraved, not crudely punched.
Christian is a name and also a surname, but also an adjective. So I thought CLI was an abbreviation for a Christian institution, perhaps a place where there was a mess-hall for prelates or something like, but in fact I have no idea about the exact meaning of CLI.
Best
Amena