REQUEST: ID Hallmarks on Silver Charger from 1700s SWISS?

aranya · Post by **aranya** » Sun May 17, 2009 5:43 pm

I need help identifying the country of origin, maker, and age for a silver charger. The charger has an engraved graphic of a Crown and "Berne 1739" on the lip. There are hallmarks on the back. Thanks for looking and your assistance. Best regards, Chris

Joerg · Post by **Joerg** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:09 pm

Dear Chris

First, your piece looks a bit like pewter. Are you positive sure it is silver?
Second: If it is silver then a match could be Jacques-David MÃ¼ller, 1703-1789, Silversmith in Fribourg, Switzerland. The manufacturers mark is identical, also the oval shape.
I have no match for the F with crown, the city mark of Fribourg looks different. The French name of the city, "Berne" indicates also a maker in the French part of Switzerland.
Fribourg was never under the rule of Berne, it is not very likely that someone from Bern ordered silver in another canton. But there may be a story behind, which could be solved by identification of the crowned F.

Regards

Joerg

Joerg · Post by **Joerg** » Mon May 18, 2009 1:12 pm

Dear Chris

I just looked at your picture one more time. The mark on the bottom is the city mark from Fribourg! Just upside down. So we have a 100% match. Congratulation.

Joerg

aranya · Post by **aranya** » Mon May 18, 2009 4:04 pm

Dear Joerg,

To answer your qestions...

The charger is silver and not pewter. It has quite a bit of wear and I have not polished it so it has a somewhat pewter like look....

It there a photo reference you can direct me to to see examples for the maker and city marks?

Thanks so much for your generous asistance!

Best regards,

Chris

Post by **2209patrick** » Mon May 18, 2009 4:25 pm

aranya · Post by **aranya** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:16 pm

Patrick, thanks for the Fribourg hallmark example!

Based on Joerg's ID of the maker, I went to look for more info on Jacques-David Muller and found examples of his work but no hallmark examples...alas

I did note on some 18th Century Swiss pieces that there are "warden" or "guild warden" hallmarks. I am wondering if the "F with Crown" mark is a guild or guild warden mark. Do you think this is possible?

Again thanks and regards,

Chris

JAKJO · Post by **JAKJO** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:32 pm

Could the crowned 'F' have a connection with Bern? I have seen some objects made in the first half of the 19th century from Bern with a crowned F, but the letter and the crown look different.

Hope this helps,

Best regards/JAKJO

Post by **2209patrick** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:30 pm

Hate to say this, but the Swiss used a similar crowned F mark as a quality mark for pewter.

Pat.

aranya · Post by **aranya** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:17 pm

Dear Folks,

I have been able to find examples of Jacques-David Muller silver pieces on line without hallmark views - these have been in Swiss museums. Item style and engraving is similar to this piece.

Would it have been common for silversmiths to also have been pewterers? I have very limited pewter experience. This charger looks close to a coin grade of silver from objects I've seen. Has such a high grade of "shine" to it. However, I have the inkling that Pat may be correct about the "crown F" mark. I will continue with this information and see what else I can dig up. Well any further info from you all and again, thanks....

Chris

blakstone · Post by **blakstone** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:03 pm

All three of these marks are identified as those of Jacques-David Muller in FranÃ§ois-Pierre de Vevey's Manuel des OrfÃ¨vres de Suisse Romande (Fribourg:Sotheby's Office du Livre, 1985), page 30: Maker #96, maker's mark 96-b, city mark 96-B, fineness mark 96-1 (here, struck twice).

The crowned F was used in several cantons as a silver fineness mark: it has been found in Fribourg, Vaud, NeuchÃ¢tel, Aargau, Solothurn and Bern. As it was applied by the maker, it varies widely in design. Exactly what it represents is not known, though it probably indicated that the silver was of the Swiss fineness of 11 deniers (.913). This was more commonly expressed by the Roman numerals "XI", though, leading some to speculate the the "F" might represent the higher French standard of 11 deniers, 10 grains (.950).

Muller was a 4th generation silversmith, the great-grandson of Lucerne silversmith Jacob Muller, who was naturalized as a citizen of Fribourg in 1645. de Vevey notes that Jacques-David Muller was captain of the Fribourg Garde d'Ã‰tat 1752-1782, and was a distinguished silversmith who left behind a number of high-quality pieces noted for their fine construction and elegance.

Nice find!

aranya · Post by **aranya** » Mon May 18, 2009 10:26 pm

Thanks for the thorough reference!

Any thoughts on the front engraving: "Crown 'Berne' 1739"?

I have search for historical references to Berne and the year 1739 without success. Any thoughts out there?

Chris

blakstone · Post by **blakstone** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:34 pm

No, not really. As has been mentioned, the French spelling of “Berne” is used here. The Fribourg and Bern cantons are adjacent, and roughly form part of the boundry between French- and German-speaking Switzerland. Perhaps a gift between officials of neighboring cantons?

In any event, here’s a copy of the reference from de Vevey:

aranya · Post by **aranya** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:03 pm

Dear Folks,

Thanks to you all for making this a very enjoyable treasure hunt and learning experience! Your time and attention is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Chris