Mid-20th Century French Sterling Silver Serving Piece or Hollowware (attributed to Tetard Freres)
Hollowware / Serving Piece · Attributed to Tetard Freres, Paris, France. One of the most prestigious French silversmithing firms, active from 1880, known for their exceptional Art Deco and Modernist designs and high-quality 950 silver production.
Pattern: Custom or Service Specific Production, pattern not identifiable from hallmark image alone.
Type
Hollowware / Serving Piece
Maker
Attributed to Tetard Freres, Paris, France. One of the most prestigious French silversmithing firms, active from 1880, known for their exceptional Art Deco and Modernist designs and high-quality 950 silver production.
Material
French 1st Standard Sterling Silver (950/1000 silver content). This is a higher purity than British or American sterling (.925).
Dimensions
Estimated diameter of base 10-15cm; total weight likely substantial given the gauge of silver suggested by the hallmark depth.
Description
An authentic piece of French high-purity silver, this item bears the prestigious Minerva mark. The presence of a five-digit inventory number suggests it was a significant piece of hollowware from a major Parisian house, likely designed for a formal dining service.
Key Features
French 1st Standard purity (950 silver); unique lozenge maker's mark; oversized inventory number '13040' used for cataloging high-end collections.
Material & Composition
French 1st Standard Sterling Silver (950/1000 silver content). This is a higher purity than British or American sterling (.925).
Finish & Decoration
Polished surface with evident oxidation and mechanical wear; the base shows a planished/hammered texture typical of hand-raised hollowware.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Minerva Head 1st Standard (.950) in a chamfered rectangle; Maker's mark lozenge (partially obscured) likely containing 'T' and 'F' with an anchor/urn symbol for Tetard Freres; Inventory/Model number '13040' struck in large seriffed numerals.
Construction Details
Hand-raised and finished. The irregular surface near the stamps indicates hand-hammering (planishing) rather than machine spinning.
Functional Features
Includes a stamped model/inventory number (13040), indicating it was part of a larger cataloged service or a commissioned set.
Handle & Grip Details
Handles not visible, but stamps are placed on the underside of a base or handle junction.
Craftsmanship Details
Hand-struck hallmarks and inventory numbers show slight misalignment, confirming human assembly and finishing rather than fully automated production.
Authentication Indicators
The lozenge-shaped maker's mark and the specific profile of the Minerva head are the primary legal indicators of French origin and purity.
Origin & Manufacturing
Paris, France. Manufactured in a professional atelier utilizing traditional French silversmithing techniques and legal hallmarking standards.
Era & Period
Modernist/Art Deco Era influence, likely manufactured Mid-20th Century (post-1940s based on stamp styles).
Age Estimate
Circa 1930-1950. The numeric font and lozenge style are consistent with mid-century French luxury production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the pinnacle of French luxury dining; French 950 silver is historically sought after by collectors for its higher bullion value and superior shine compared to 925 sterling.
Condition Notes
Good antique/vintage condition. Visible surface scratches and heavy tarnish/firescale in the recesses of the hallmarks. No evidence of structural repairs visible in the crop.
Value Estimate
$400 - $1,200 USD depending on the full form (bowl vs tray) and total troy ounce weight.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a high-quality cream like Wright's. Avoid chemical dips which can strip the protective firescale and patina from the recessed hallmarks.
Similar Pieces
Puiforcat or Christofle sterling hollowware. Tetard is generally more hand-worked and heavier-gauge than mass-produced Christofle pieces.
Interesting Facts
Tetard Freres won a Grand Prix at the 1925 International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, cementing their status as leaders of Art Deco silver.