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Hello,

I have a french rat tail spoon from Paris and would be glad, if someone can help me with the marks. I think the spoon was made about 1716/17, but I am not sure.

Thanks and kind regards,
Ringo

Hi Ringo!

Thanks for sharing! I've just a question: couldn't it be what we call pseudo-marks from Hanau?

Regards,

Don Smoka

Hello Don,

thanks for your answer. May be it is what we call pseudo-marks from Hanau. But up to now I do not belief this.
There are some sources, that dates the "A over crown" or "A upside down under crown" and the "Z under crown" for Paris about 1716.

Kind regards, Ringo

I don't know... Was just an idea... The main problem for me is the ''Z'' is a little different from the picture you show.. Just my opinion and i'm not 'expert'. Be patient, this forum is full of sympathic people having an incredible knowledge!

At All, WELCOME!

Hello Don,
thanks for your encourage words. I will be patient.
I did not know, that the current state of research about parisian silver is so inchoate.
(I thought, that there exist a list with the "Charge"-marks and the "Poincon de jurande"-marks) to date an object.

Best regards,
Ringo

Hello Ringo
Yes your spoon appears to date from 1716. In French the model or pattern is called uniplat. The rat tail has all but disappeared in the early 18th C in Paris to be replaced with a bouton or drop.
You have the charge mark of the upside down crowned A, the discharge mark for flatware of a crowned round fruit shape underlined with a rope, and the date letter crowned Z. The maker's mark appears to start with R, but I can't see more. Nocq lists about 60 makers that start with R, so if you could give me another letter it would help. I have no idea what the parallel (engraved?) lines are - maybe letters or numbers that refer to an inventory number or the owner's initials, who knows? This is the first time I see this discharge mark; it is rarely used. The more usual is interlaced Ls with a crown.
Thank you for showing these interesting marks.

Hello JayT,

I am truly delighted by your answer and thank you very much!

Best regards,
Ringo

My pleasure!