Very Long Salt Shovel?

[dognose]

Hi,

Just researching this one for a friend.













It's a very long shovel at 173mm and the shovel bowl only 15mm across at widest point. It appears to me to have a Paris discharge mark used on small items in 1750-1756, but needs a more experienced eye to confirm/deny that. The maker's marks may be 'I crown D'

Any thoughts on this item appreciated, especially the likely use, perhaps apothecary?

Trev.

[JayT]

Hi Trev
Yes, despite the length this is a salt shovel - pelle à sel. The extra-long ones are usually provincial. I'm away from my reference material for the summer, but if memory serves, there is a pair by Joseph Gernéa of Toulouse at the Louvre, dating last quarter of the 18th C, for comparative purposes. The maker's mark is not Parisian; maybe Alsace, especially if gilded as this item appears to be. And the bird head mark is way too large to be a discharge mark. In any case, a maker's mark and discharge mark would have to match for location. In summary, French provincial, probably last quarter 18th C.

Hope this helps your friend.
Best,
JayT

[dognose]

Hi JayT,

Many thanks for this excellent information, it is appreciated.

I'll pass the details on.

Trev.

[JayT]

My pleasure.