Featured Need Help to ID Silver Demitasse Spoons

Just purchased a boxed set of 12 silver demitasse spoons. There was other Christofle in the same sale, so I assumed they were Christofle silverplate. Anyway, they were on the inexpensive side so I got them. Now I'm unsure of whether they are plate or sterling, who made them, pattern name and the marks have me stumped. I've spent many hours trying to photograph the very tiny marks on these 4 1/4" spoons. Any help woule be most appreciated. Photo 4 & 5 seem to be the maker's mark and photo 6 the French assay mark which looks like a blob to me.

 

I've been on the 925 site and thought the assay mark might be right for French sterling but I've had 3 eye surgeries in the last 6 months so I can't see too well.

 

Your spoons have diamond-shaped maker's marks. Silverplate maker's marks would be either square or rectangular.

See the notes on this page lower right.
https://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_marks.html

 

Yes, i did see that but I guess I'm just frustrated with not being able to "see" the marks. Darn eyes! I purchased these thinking they were plated and now should I dare think they might be sterling? The assay mark could be Medusa but it's hard to tell.

 

French Minerva head! Can’t help for the maker though...

 

Christofle Silverplate,as opposed to 99% of all other silver-plated items,is still the one that makes the Ebay cash register sing $$$. It's got quite a mystique.

 

Thanks, kyra! I knew it was someone with an M name.

I learned that several years ago when I purchased a Christofle tray. It felt like heaven and looked like sterling and I remember being so stunned to learn it was silverplate. At that same auction, someone paid $12,000 for a service for 24 of Christofle sterling. It came with one of those silver chests on legs (furniture). Ever since, I buy it whenever I see it and can afford it.

 

I wonder if it's still found at Antique Malls & Thrifts ? What do you think it's big-bucks mystique is all about ? Hoping to make a profit on Plate,is like listing dirt at auction.

 

Its mystique is that it is Beautiful! Not necessarily the patterns (which can be a little boring), but the Quality is Excellent with a capital E! IMO, you have to touch it, it's like no other. Totally smooth and flawless. People who don't know about Christofle usually assume it's sterling because the silverplate items are marked also. In the auction where i bought these little spoons, the auctioneer knew it was plated and advertised it as such. So, the large set only brought about $350. That buyer should be very happy (if it's a reseller).

I doubt you'll find it in thrifts and antique malls. It's French made and at least here in central Ohio, not that many people know about it. In the last 20 years I found Christofle only once. Most of the silver buyers know about it so it's never cheap.

The reason much silverplate flatware brings so little money is that it's worn out in one maybe two person's lifetime. You see plate loss, heal rubs, etc. And people treat it poorly because it's plated. Not much can survive a trip through a child's sand box. Christofle plate holds up. I don't know what their manufacturing process is, but the product lasts. The one time I saw it here, the person purchased it abroad. It was a court ordered sale for a guy who went to jail for defrauding/embezzling from his wealthy employer. You can afford to buy the highest quality when it isn't your money.

 

I beleive Christofle had something to do with inventing early silver plating (?).

 

A thrift find of Christofle “Aria”, 10 dessert forks, 10 dinner forks and 10 dinner knives all for $16.+ a couple years ago. 3 weeks later 10 teaspoons and 10 tablespoons came out for another $8.+. Recently sold the 50 pieces for $1,800.
This was the first lot that came out.

 

Astounding,wasn't Goodwill was it ?

 

keen eye Anund !!

 

$avers.

 

One of his top 5 favorite hunting grounds.

If you look back over his posts you will see he has scored many, many, many times at this particular thrift store.

 

they should change their name to ' finders keepers '....!