Show off your French Silver Pieces!

[YadaYadaYada]

Recent obsession, French silver pieces especially bracelets. I’d like to see any and all French silver pieces, also what hallmarks are on them? If there is an interesting story behind getting it then share that too

 

[stracci2000]

It's just silly that I don't have any French silver jewelry!
But I do have this sommelier cup. It is French and has the 950 Minerva mark, which is the guarantee mark. One mark is easy to see. The second mark is overstamped with the maker mark, which is in the shape of a lozenge.
The maker is in question, but probably late 1800s.

I don't know if Minerva was used on jewelry items.
There is sparse information about French jewelry markings online.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The craftsmanship of the French silver pieces whether jewelry or otherwise is just amazing. Where did your find this one @stracci2000?

 

[stracci2000]

The craftsmanship of the French silver pieces whether jewelry or otherwise is just amazing. Where did your find this one @stracci2000?

This was at a consignment shop.
They had no idea what it was. I told them after I paid for it! I could see the head marking, and I googled it in the store, so I knew it was French. It was $25

 

[Bron357]

This is my treasure.
Art deco and French.
Never seen another like it and yes, the watch works perfectly (I had it repaired).

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Love it @Bron357! I have never seen anything like that.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I am so excited!!!! Tonight I put my first piece of French silver jewelry on layaway. Not that it’s hugely expensive but it’s my Christmas gift so no rush to get it. Will come back and share pictures in the meantime, I found a great reference for French marks:

French silver hallmarks

I usually have no trouble recognising and using English or Australian hallmarks on antique jewellery to date the piece but have a lot of difficulty deciphering French hallmarks. In this post, I am …

navettejewellery.org

 

[stracci2000]

You are very cryptic, Yada!
Don't we get a clue or anything?
I'm excited for you!

 

[MamaBee]

I am so excited!!!! Tonight I put my first piece of French silver jewelry on layaway. Not that it’s hugely expensive but it’s my Christmas gift so no rush to get it. Will come back and share pictures in the meantime, I found a great reference for French marks:

French silver hallmarks

I usually have no trouble recognising and using English or Australian hallmarks on antique jewellery to date the piece but have a lot of difficulty deciphering French hallmarks. In this post, I am …

navettejewellery.org

Oooh..I can’t wait to see it!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Oooh..I can’t wait to see it!

I am excited too! Here is a hint, it is floral theme that’s all I can say though!

 

[stracci2000]

I am excited too! Here is a hint, it is floral theme that’s all I can say though!

Tease!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Tease!

Oh well maybe you will get to see it sooner, I just sold a ring off LT tonight so it looks like that layaway will get paid off sooner than later

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Recent obsession, French silver pieces especially bracelets. I’d like to see any and all French silver pieces, also what hallmarks are on them? If there is an interesting story behind getting it then share that too

do the French have a particular style ?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

do the French have a particular style ?

I’ve seen a lot of different styles, rose gold overlay over silver was popular in French jewelry. The only way to know for sure seems to be looking for French hallmarks but even they can be hard to spot. I’ll put up a link for hallmarks for French jewelry.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

French Jewelry Hallmarks:

French Hallmarks Illustrated 1798/1972 - Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

French Silver Marks - Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers' Marks

www.925-1000.com

 

[YadaYadaYada]

On its way from Australia! I will wear the bracelet without the locket so it doesn’t get all banged up.

 

[stracci2000]

On its way from Australia! I will wear the bracelet without the locket so it doesn’t get all banged up.

Yada, you are always a surprise! It's wonderful!
I'm sorry we live so far apart. I would be pounding on your door to see this stuff!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Yada, you are always a surprise! It's wonderful!
I'm sorry we live so far apart. I would be pounding on your door to see this stuff!

Aw you are too sweet, I’m sure we would have so much fun going through each other’s treasures.

I saw this on Etsy and I didn’t even know something like it existed. Of course, had to have it!

 

[stracci2000]

Aw you are too sweet, I’m sure we would have so much fun going through each other’s treasures.

I saw this on Etsy and I didn’t even know something like it existed. Of course, had to have it!

There's always something new and exciting to learn about in the world of gems and jewelry!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I honestly expected more action in this thread but then again I just found out about French silver so maybe it’s just not well known. Also for U.S. folks not easy to find unless you look online.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Adding my French silver bracelet that arrived today from Australia

 

[stracci2000]

Adding my French silver bracelet that arrived today from Australia

So pretty! That was a loooong shipping time!
It is gorgeous! What mark does it have?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Adding my French silver bracelet that arrived today from Australia

so glad it arrived
there is a real problem in this part of the world getting stuff to and from the US right now
definatly worth the wait, its so lovelly
wear it in happiness and good health

 

[YadaYadaYada]

So pretty! That was a loooong shipping time!
It is gorgeous! What mark does it have?

It has a boars head mark but it is so small it’s hard to make out. I’ll post a picture.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @Daisys and Diamonds, it was a long time to get here but I’m just happy it arrived, just getting packages domestic is a miracle at times!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Boars head mark, the lighting is rubbish, took me a bit to find it too



Just showing the underside here so you can see the texture on the rings

 

[stracci2000]

Boars head mark, the lighting is rubbish, took me a bit to find it too



Just showing the underside here so you can see the texture on the rings

I think the marks on a piece make it even more interesting! I love researching them and finding out the cool details.
It is my understanding that there should be a lozenge shaped makers mark, too.
I bet it's on there somewhere.....maybe....

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I think the marks on a piece make it even more interesting! I love researching them and finding out the cool details.
It is my understanding that there should be a lozenge shaped makers mark, too.
I bet it's on there somewhere.....maybe....

I’ll have to look tomorrow when there is better light, I do find French marks hard to distinguish but my eyesight is not the best.

 

[alh56]

Here's my circa 1900 French silver link bracelet. One side of the links are rounded and plain, the other side are flatter, matter, with a pattern.



There are markings on the final link before what I assume is a more modern fastener. I love the ball weight, intended to keep the fastener hanging downwards...or, according to my cat, intended for chomping on.

I bought it from an antiques dealer in England who travels to France on purchasing trips. Very affordable, and something that I can wear for days at a time without removing.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@alh56 absolutely love your bracelet and even better that it is durable enough for daily wear. Bracelets are a pain to get on and off so I leave mine on.