French Floral Repoussé Silver Plate Coffee or Tea Service Component
Hollowware (Service Piece) · The maker is indicated by the initials 'AN' and 'DG' within the hexagonal hallmark. Based on the 85-gram silver deposit mark, this is a French manufacturer from the late 19th or early 20th century, likely a commercial silversmith specializing in high-quality silver plate for domestic use.
Pattern: Floral Repoussé with Stippled Ground; unspecified pattern name, typical of French 'Style Louis XV' or 'Second Empire' revivals.
Type
Hollowware (Service Piece)
Maker
The maker is indicated by the initials 'AN' and 'DG' within the hexagonal hallmark. Based on the 85-gram silver deposit mark, this is a French manufacturer from the late 19th or early 20th century, likely a commercial silversmith specializing in high-quality silver plate for domestic use.
Material
Silver Plate (Métal Argenté). The base metal is likely brass or nickel silver, coated with a layer of fine silver through electroplating (EPNS process).
Dimensions
Estimated height of 15-20 cm; weight approximately 400-600 grams. Standard individual coffee or creamer size.
Description
A fine example of French silver-plated hollowware, this piece features a rich bulbous form adorned with blooming floral repoussé work. The high-quality electroplating is evidenced by the '85' hallmark, ensuring a thick, durable silver layer. The design prioritizes the play of light against textured surfaces, contrasting the smooth, polished body with the hand-tooled stippled background of the flower motifs.
Key Features
Hexagonal French silver plate '85' mark; detailed floral repoussé; stippled 'hammered-look' background around ornaments; high-sheen polished surface.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Métal Argenté). The base metal is likely brass or nickel silver, coated with a layer of fine silver through electroplating (EPNS process).
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with repoussé floral motifs including a six-petaled flower and stippled/textured background. Features chased leaf details and heavy bossed elements.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Contains a hexagonal French silver plate mark (poinçon de grammage). The number '85' indicates the amount of silver (in grams) used to plate a set of 24 pieces (or a specific surface area). The central number '2' likely refers to the size or type of the piece within a set. Initials 'AN' and 'DG' are the fabricant (maker's) marks.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped or die-rolled body with hand-finished repoussé detailing. The hexagonal mark is struck directly into the plated surface after manufacture.
Functional Features
Includes a protruding decorative body meant for heat retention and a stable bulbous base. Hand-chased floral elements provide tactile grip.
Handle & Grip Details
Not fully visible, but likely a C-scroll handle characteristic of the Louis XV style, potentially with bone or ivory heat insulators if a teapot/coffee pot.
Craftsmanship Details
Displays a high level of industrial craftsmanship; the depth of the repoussé flower suggests a heavy-gauge base metal and a well-executed die-striking process.
Authentication Indicators
The hexagonal hallmark is a standard French legal requirement for silver plate (métal argenté) to distinguish it from solid sterling (.925) which would use a Minerva head or Boar's head mark.
Origin & Manufacturing
France. Likely manufactured in a major metalworking center such as Paris or Lyon, following the strict 19th-century French silver-plating regulations.
Era & Period
Belle Époque / Late Victorian era (c. 1890–1915). Characterized by the revival of rococo-style florals and the standardization of silver plating marks.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900. The hallmark format and the font style of the '85' stamp are consistent with Third Republic era production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury in late 19th-century Europe, where the middle class could own service pieces that mimicked the aesthetics of solid silver aristocrat sets through electroplating technology.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows light micro-scratches from cleaning but no significant 'bleeding' (base metal showing through). There appears to be light tarnish in the crevices of the flowers.
Value Estimate
$75 - $150 USD for an individual piece; $400 - $800 for a complete set depending on the maker's identification.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft cloth and a gentle silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid abrasive cleaners or dipping solutions that can strip the silver layer to the base metal.
Similar Pieces
Christofle or Ercuis silver plate items. Christofle typically uses a square or diamond mark, while this piece uses a hexagonal mark indicating a different French workshop.
Interesting Facts
The number '85' in French silver plate specifically refers to the amount of pure silver (85 grams) used for electroplating a standard batch of pieces, indicating a higher quality tier than the standard '40' or '60' gram coatings.