Help with CARDEILHAC CHRISTOFLE hallmark.

[panatha]

Hello. Can you please identify these CARDEILHAC CHRISTOFLE hallmarks? It is flatware set. I think it's from 1935. Do you know if it's sterling silver or silver plated like other Christofle?
Thanks in advance.

[dognose]

Hi,

It appears to have the Minerva head mark, so yes, it's silver.

See: https://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks2.html

See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 58d#p89451

Trev.

[panatha]

Thanks Trev

[JayT]

To add to Trev’s excellent information. Christofle acquired Cardeilhac, a very prestigious maker, in 1951, and kept their trademarks, as you can see on your flatware. You’re quite right, Christofle was largely a silverplate maker, but for decades they’d subcontracted to Cardeilhac when they wanted to produce 950 silver, so the relationship between the two firms had been ongoing. Thus your service dates no earlier than 1951. The pattern was by Cardeilhac, produced by Christofle.
As a side note, your service has been used and abused. I hope a bit of TLC can restore it.

[panatha]

Thanks a lot for the info.
Is possible of what you see that these are not silver but silver plated?Is Cardeilhac made only sterling silver?

[JayT]

You’re welcome.

The service is definitely 950 standard silver as shown by the marks, not sterling silver which is 925 standard, and not silver plated.

Cardeilhac did not produce plated goods.

Hope this helps.

[panatha]

It helps a lot.Thanks again.

[JayT]

My pleasure.

[monte100]

Definitely silver. With French silver it is pretty easy to tell as the maker's mark will be a lozenge if it is silver and a square if it is plate. If silver then the Minerva or other mark will tell you which level of purity.

[panatha]

Very nice info.Thanks a lot