French Second Standard Silver Timbale or Beaker
Hollowware (Beaker / Drinking Vessel / Timbale) · Unknown French Silversmith; the central hallmark indicates the official French Assay office stamp for silver fineness rather than a specific maker's mark.
Pattern: Plain Industrial/Utility Pattern, typical of provincial or daily-use French hollowware of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Type
Hollowware (Beaker / Drinking Vessel / Timbale)
Maker
Unknown French Silversmith; the central hallmark indicates the official French Assay office stamp for silver fineness rather than a specific maker's mark.
Material
800 Silver (French 2nd Standard). This is a solid silver alloy consisting of 800 parts silver per 1000, common in France for utilitarian items.
Dimensions
Estimated height 7-9 cm; diameter 6-7 cm. Approximate weight 60-100 grams. This constitutes a standard individual drinking vessel size.
Description
A classic French silver timbale featuring a subdued satin finish and a minimalist aesthetic. This vessel represents the refined simplicity of French domestic silver, where the focus remains on the purity of the metal and the utility of the form.
Key Features
French Minerva Head hallmark (2nd Standard); horizontal textured finish; clipped-corner assay punch; heavy gauge rim.
Material & Composition
800 Silver (French 2nd Standard). This is a solid silver alloy consisting of 800 parts silver per 1000, common in France for utilitarian items.
Finish & Decoration
Brushed or engine-turned horizontal satin finish. The surface shows concentric machining or polishing lines rather than a mirror polish. No elaborate chasing or repoussé is visible in this frame.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Minerva Head (Tête de Minerve) in a clipped corner frame. The presence of a '2' (often located in the lower corner of the cartouche) indicates the 2nd standard (800 purity). Small marks near the rim are typical for French hallmarking conventions.
Construction Details
Spun or raised construction. The even horizontal striations suggest the piece may have been finished on a lathe (spun) or hand-planished with a specific texture.
Functional Features
Slightly flared lip for drinking comfort; stable flat base; durable thick-walled construction for daily use.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Handleless). The body acts as the grip, with the textured surface providing a non-slip tactile quality.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-assisted spinning followed by hand-stamping. The hallmark placement near the rim is a hallmark of quality control, ensuring the piece was assayed before final sale.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmark is deeply struck with appropriate 'halo' displacement of the metal, typical of authentic hand-struck punches. The wear on the raised details of the Minerva head is consistent with long-term handling.
Origin & Manufacturing
France (Paris or Provincial). The Minerva mark is the universal French guarantee of silver purity used by state assay offices.
Era & Period
Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century (Belle Époque to Interwar period). The hallmark style was established in 1838 and used extensively through the early 1900s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880-1920. The wear patterns and specific geometry of the hallmark cartouche suggest late Victorian or Edwardian era production.
Cultural Significance
In French culture, silver beakers (timbales) are traditional 'Baptême' (Christening) gifts, intended to be used by the child throughout their life as a symbol of status and family heritage.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows minor micro-scratching and 'fire scale' or oxidation consistent with age. No major dents or structural deformities are visible near the hallmark area.
Value Estimate
$80 - $150 USD depending on total weight and the identification of a specific maker's mark (not shown).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Use a specialized silver cream like Wright's only when heavily tarnished to preserve the satin texture. Avoid abrasive dishwashers.
Similar Pieces
Christofle Silver Plate Beakers (lighter weight, no silver hallmarks); 1st Standard (.950) French Timbales (purer silver, octagonal hallmark frame); German 800 Silver cups (usually marked with Moon and Crown).
Interesting Facts
The French 2nd standard (800/1000) was often preferred for items meant for children (birth gifts) or travel because the higher copper content made the silver harder and more resistant to denting.