posted 04-06-2006 09:22 AM            

I'm familiar with Russian hallmarks and the use of the '84' hallmark to indicate the grade of silver used in pre-revolutionary Russia.

However, I have often come across flatware marked '84' (the mark was in a small square box) but without any other accompanying Russian marks. The best example I can think of is a fork, where the box was placed just below the tines of the fork on the right. To the left there was a similar box with either a series of other numbers or letters in it (none of them Cyrillic). This kind of silver is often sold on EBay, sometimes as Russian silver.

posted 04-06-2006 02:38 PM            

It can also represent a silver plate quality mark, indicating the total amount of silver contained in a specified number of pieces - generally one dozen each of table spoons and forks (24 total). That is, these 24 pieces would contain a total 84 grams of pure silver. Therefore, the higher this number, the better the quality of plate; 90 is probably most common, though I have seen 45, 60, 80 and other amounts.

The rest of your assumptions are on target as well; marks placed as you describe are quite often French (with the maker's mark in a square). You present a good reminder that one should never zero in on a single mark to make an ID; style, construction and all the marks must be taken into consideration.

Good instincts!

posted 04-07-2006 08:51 AM            

On a more general note, is anyone aware of a guide to marks on French silver plate? I have a plated tastevin (19th or early 20th century) which bears a mark (figure 2 in a small box) and have seen other similar marks with a figure 1 or even 4, but don't know exactly what they signify or how the French hallmarking system for silver plate was or is organised.