Section of a spoon handle 1786

This detail of a spoon handle, created in 1786 by French silversmith Pierre-Charles Micalef, showcases intricate hallmarks. The oval mark likely indicates the maker's mark, while the hexagonal mark identifies the city of manufacture. The final mark, depicting a bird, signifies the French standard for silver purity. This piece, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides insight into the craftsmanship and quality control of 18th-century silverware production in France.