[CHAPTER XV.]

Foreign Silver Standards—Pre-War.

Table showing the various standards of the silver work manufactured in the principal countries previous to the European War, 1914-1918:—

Countries.Silver per oz.Thousandth parts.Remarks.
oz.dwts.grs.
France01823948-1000Old Standard.
”0190950-10001st ”
”0180900-1000Coinage.
”0160800-10002nd Standard.
Germany0190950-10001st ”
”0180900-10002nd ”
”0160800-10003rd ”
”0150750-10004th ”
Austria0190950-10001st ”
”0180900-10002nd ”
”0160800-10003rd ”
”0150750-10004th ”
Geneva0190950-10001st ”
”01712875-10002nd ”
”0160800-10003rd ”
Holland01712875-1000Old Standard.
”01816933-10001st ”
”01616833-10002nd ”
Belgium0190950-10001st ”
”0180900-10002nd ”
”0160800-10003rd ”
Spain01418738-1000Lowest ”
Portugal01621844-1000One only.
Neuchatel0160800-1000One only.
Russia01619840-10001st Standard.
”0150750-10002nd ”
Italy0190950-10001st ”
”0180900-10002nd ”
”0160800-10003rd ”
China01914½980-1000About.
Norway01619840-1000One only.
Sweden01619840-1000”
Denmark01619840-1000”

In France, all articles manufactured as silver are subject to Government control and pay duty, but this is very slight compared with the English duty, amounting only to one franc per hectogramme, which is equal to about threepence per ounce. This is exclusive of the charge for testing and marking; the state of the articles sent for this purpose with regard to the state of manufacture is, moreover, very different from the custom in this country. Here they are sent in their rough or half-manufactured state, and this seems better suited to the particular processes through which they have to pass; whereas in France they may be tested and marked in their whole or finished state; and, if thought requisite, this operation may be performed while the goods are on their way to their final destination, by calling at the Control Office for that purpose.

The Continental silversmiths, especially the French workmen, exhibit much ingenuity, original thought, and refined taste, in the execution of their work; and the natural capacity for design which they possess enables them to produce articles of a very high order and artistic character. The construction of some of their productions is exceedingly ornamental and decorative, and in some instances this is even carried to excess, as may be seen from some very elaborate articles which they manufacture.

To them belongs the credit of being producers of the most artistic and best decorative work in the whole world. They set the fashions and work them out with a will to be only found in a people so enthusiastic as the French. Their jewellery is very elegant, light, and showy; some of which is prepared so thin as regards material, that it has to be supported underneath by a wax composition, which, however, gives increased strength to all articles so manipulated. With regard to articles of vertu, the French workmen certainly far excel those of any other country: they are more original, and bring into play greater ingenuity in the various processes which they employ in their manufactures. Still with all this ingenuity and skill, their works of art in this department are not durable, being very tinselfied; in wear their shape and form soon undergo a change, and eventually they soon get destroyed. In this branch of art the French workman might learn something to his advantage from the English style of work, which is the most durable of any nation in the world. French silver plate and jewellery of the best manufacture partake of the first standard; all other kinds are of the lowest standard.