In this article we present a part of a French canteen composed of pieces of various age and makers. Most pieces were manufactured and hallmarked in Paris between 1762 and 1819. The prevalent pattern is the so called fiddle thread, very popular in France from the mid 18th century.

This set of table spoons is composed of pieces of various age and makers. All pieces were manufactured and hallmarked in Paris between 1766 and 1809.
The pattern is the so called fiddle thread, very popular in France from the mid XVIII century. Fiddle pattern derives its name from the fiddle-shaped handle and must rate as one of the major design of flatware.
Although a similar pattern is present in examples from the Esquiline Treasure of the late Roman period (British Museum), it originated in France, where it was the most popular pattern in the mid-eighteen century. The pattern is a very typical French style double struck Fiddle Thread, with spoons turning up (note 1) and soft shoulders (note 2). English examples usually date from the beginning of the 19th century (apart from some very rare pieces dating earlier) and turn down (note 3). The spoons have thread heels (note 5).

All spoons are bottom marked (marks grouped at bottom of stem) and were fully hand made with good gauge of silver. Dimension: 21 cm in length; weight: 524 g (combined)

(from top to bottom) Silversmith mark: NML for Nicolas Martin LANGLOIS, registered in 1757 in Paris, LANGLOIS changed his mark in 1766 with two fleurs de lys (as in our picture). Before, the mark had two large dots instead of fleurs de lys, Crowned A: Paris 1768-1774, for "charging" the item before paying tax. Unfortunately, the Charge mark is very much spun off. Crowned I: warranty, Paris 1772-1773, Small head with helmet: Paris 1768-1774, certifying that tax was paid ("Discharge")

(from left to right) Monkey Head: Discharge mark, Paris 1774-1780. Silversmith mark: Jacques ANTHIAUME, registered 1758, Paris, Crowned A: Charge mark, Paris 1774-1780, Crowned Q: Warranty mark, Paris 1779-1780,

(from top to bottom) Parrot’s head: discharge mark (tax paid) for Paris 1786-1789, Large crowned P: Paris 1787-1788, unfortunately much erased, Large crowned A: Paris 1782-1789 used for "charging" the item before paying tax, Silversmith mark: too much broken to be attributed. Unreadable mark. Potentially it may belong to at least three different masters.

(from top to bottom) Parrot’s head: Discharge mark (tax paid) for Paris 1786-1789, Large crowned P: Paris 1787-1788 (warranty), unfortunately very much erased, Large crowned A: Paris 1782-1789 used for "charging" the item before paying tax, Silversmith mark: Pierre Nicolas SOMMÉ (PNS) registered in 1760. Known activity up to 1809. SOMMÉ changed his mark in 1768 adopting the mark pictured aside

(from top to bottom) Silversmith mark: Jean TOULON, registered in 1798, Paris. JT with Mercury's wand, Cock with 1 on the right: Paris 1798-1809, first silver content (950/1000), Head of an ancient man (tete de veillard): Warranty mark, Paris 1798-1809, The digits 8 and 5 aside left and right of the head identify Paris.

This set of table forks is composed of pieces of various age and makers. All pieces were manufactured and hallmarked in Paris between 1766 and 1809.
The pattern (Fiddle Thread) is the same as described for the spoons.
As for the spoons, the forks turn up (note 4). On the contrary of spoons, this is common also on English flatware.
At this time most of the forks had four tines (instead of three tines of the earlier examples).
Forks have thread heels (note 5).

All forks are bottom marked (marks grouped at bottom of stem) and were fully hand made with good gauge of silver. In some cases tines are of different length. This is caused by the rough use of knives which wears the tines. Dimension: 20.2 cm in length; weight: 554 g (combined)

Hallmarks on Forks

(from top to bottom) Discharge Mark (tax paid): dog’s head (a pointer), used in Paris 1762-1768, First crowned A: warranty, Paris 1764-1765, Second crowned A: Charge Mark (item declared before paying tax), used in Paris 1762-1768, Silversmith mark : NML for Nicolas Martin LANGLOIS, registered in 1757 in Paris, LANGLOIS changed his mark in 1766 with two fleurs de lys (as in our picture). Before, the mark had two large dots instead of fleurs de lys.

(from top to bottom) Dog’s Head (a pointer): discharge Mark (tax paid) used in Paris 1762-1768, Second mark: unreadable. Corresponding to Warranty Mark. Crowned A: Charge Mark (item declared before paying tax), used in Paris 1762-1768. Silversmith: Jacques ANTHIAUME, JA under a shell and the crowned fleur de lys. Registered in 1758 in Paris, active until 1784.

(from top to bottom) Monkey Head: discharge Mark (tax paid) used in Paris 1774-1780, Crowned Q: warranty Mark for Paris 1779-1780, Crowned A: charge mark (item declared before paying tax) used in Paris 1774-1780, Silversmith mark: too much scrapped to be attributed to any master

(from top to bottom) Parrot’s head: Discharge mark (tax paid) for Paris 1786-1789, Large crowned P: Warranty mark used in Paris 1786-1787, Crowned A: Charge mark (tax declaration) used in Paris 1782-1789, Silversmith mark: Pierre Nicolas SOMMÉ (PNS) registered in 1760. Known activity up to 1809. SOMMÉ changed his mark in 1768 adopting the mark illustrated ib the left.

(from top to bottom) Silversmith mark: Jean TOULON, registered in 1798, Paris. JT with Mercury’s wand, Cock with 1 on the right: Paris 1798-1809, first silver content (950/1000), Head of an ancient man (tete de veillard): Warranty mark, Paris 1798-1809, The digits 8 and 5 aside left and right of the head identify Paris.

This very rare basting spoon is made in a revival of the "Dog Nose" pattern (in this case with thread), very popular at the end of the 17th century. These particular and large size spoons were used for serving solid and semi-solid food from tureens and covered vegetable servers.
Note that the spoon turns up (the handle is curved towards the open part of the bowl), as usual for items manufactured in France. In England this rule did not apply after the third quarter of the 18th century. From this date on spoons usually turn down. The part where the bowl is attached to stem was usually reinforced on the back with a "drop" of silver, but in this case the back is completely plain.

The spoon is bottom marked (marks grouped at bottom of stem) for French province 1809-1819 and second silver standard (800/1000). At this time flatware were completely hand made with good gauge of silver. Dimension: 25.8 cm in length; weight: 130 g

(from top to bottom) Warrior's head with helmet: warranty mark, French province 1809-1819. Normally, the helmet should have two digits (erased here) for recognizing the town where the spoon was marked Silversmith mark (LG): not found. Mark fully erased: it should be a cock with number 2 on bottom-left corner, for French province 1809-1819, second silver content (800/1000).

 

ENDNOTES

- note 1: a spoon turns up when the handle is curved towards the open part of the bowl
- note 2: shoulders are the "step" where the bowl closes to the stem
- note 3: a spoon turns down when the handle is curved towards the close part of the bowl
- note 4: a fork turns up when the handle is curved like the tines
- note 5: heels are the part of the fork or spoon touching the table when it lies with the tines or the bowl up