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Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:57 am
by dartsil
I wonder if anyone can assist,
This French piece is marked with a makers mark of A Vaguer over a star(*)

However the part I am struggling with as the marks are so tiny are the 3 other marks struck close to the makers mark, even under strong magnification I can not determine what the mark is so am hoping from the punch shape someone can help identify. I have looked at the French crab and boar mark as well as the weevil mark but punch shape seems different? Also the Austrian import mark was or is a possibility but if it was that I would have expected a French purity mark as well.

Any help with the unknown marks or the working dates of A Vaguer would be appreciated, I am guessing it will probably be 1920's or 1930's

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Re: Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 11:41 am
by dognose
Hi Dartsil,

Just to get the ball rolling, the makers mark was registered to Alexandre Vaguer of 114 rue du Temple, Paris, on the 15th January 1884.

Trev.

Re: Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 4:37 pm
by dartsil
Thanks for that part Trev.

Re: Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 5:01 pm
by JayT
Hello
Thank you for the wonderfully clear photos of both your purse and the marks.

Trev has nailed it for the maker. The firm had another mark, the “obus,” used until 1920, so this is an indication of the working dates of this manufacturing jeweller. The obus mark was used for export silver below 800 standard. See Tardy, 20th ed., p. 206 for more info about the obus.

The 3 other marks are indeed the boar’s head, the mark for small objects made of at least 800 standard silver. You have the mark on both sides of the frame, as it should be.

For makers registered after 1878, see the French Ministry of Culture website.
http://www2.culture.gouv.fr/public/mist ... 4%24%2534P

Re: Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:29 am
by dartsil
Many thanks for confirming its the boar mark JayT

Re: Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 6:57 am
by JayT
My pleasure.

Re: Help with Small Marks on French Silver Mesh Purse

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 7:14 am
by monte100
The shape of the boar's head mark is so distinctive that it is possible to recognise even when really faded. So all three, as has been said, are correct.