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Marks on Veyrat(?) butter dish

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:27 am
by spacemonkey
Firstly, I don't know much about silver. So I'm sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions or if I made any mistakes.
I tried identifying this butter dish(if it is a butter dish) from my grandma, using this website. But I found some marks that I can't find anywhere, and are also too small to read.
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I recognised the Minerva .925 mark.
I think I recognise the makers mark of Jean Francois Veyrat, although the mark is only half visible on both the holder and on the lid. Is it normal when a makers mark is only half visible? Could it have worn away? Or could this possibly mean it's a fake?
On both the lid and the holder for the glass are markings I can't find anywhere. They're so small I can't read them either.
There is also the number 9225 (or 92 25) on the bottom. An identification number? Can it tell me something about when it's made?
On both sides of the lid RR is engraved.

Marks on the holder:
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Marks on the lid:
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Re: Marks on Veyrat(?) butter dish

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:53 am
by Zilver2
Hi,
The Minerva mark indicates a silver fineness of .950 for large articles (higher than sterling silver which has a fineness of .925) and in use since 1838.
Opposite this mark you find the countermark named bigorne or beak-iron (representations of insects in profile for Paris and in bird's-eye view for the French departments).
The maker's mark belongs to Louis-Philippe Veyrat, active from 1840 till 1849 at 20 rue de Malte, Paris.
9225 is most certainly a factory number.
Regards

Re: Marks on Veyrat(?) butter dish

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:38 pm
by spacemonkey
Thank you for your quick answer! It's highly appreciated.

I think my grandmother will be surprised when I tell her how old it is. She didn't even know it was silver!