Antiquary & Expert CNES

Louis XVI period — Dijon region (circa 1775–1785)

Superb solid silver serving fish scoop. The blade with its pronounced scalloped edge features an elegant openwork design of foliage and scrolls, enclosing a large engraved decoration of a fish among reeds.

The reinforced socket, sumptuously chiseled in high relief with a bearded man's mask and aquatic motifs, ensures the connection with an original turned blackened wood handle.

IDENTIFICATION OF HALLMARKS (OLD REGIME)

The whole bears a quintuple strike of great clarity, attesting to the tax system of the Farmers General of the Generality of Dijon:

• Stamp mark: Letter “P” with radiating dot to the right, under the authority of the Farmers General of the Generality of Dijon.
• Discharge stamp: Closed hand accompanied by the letter "d" (different from the sub-farm of Dijon).
• Guild mark / common house: Date letter “V” under open crown, attributable to Dijon goldsmiths (circa 1775-1785).
• Goldsmith's hallmark: Monogram inscribed in a square/lozenge-shaped hallmark.
• Countermark/title mark: Two crossed laurel branches enclosing the number "2".