French Sterling Silver Salt and Pepper Grinders. Marked "Sterling" on sides, marked "Made in France"/"Depose France" on bottoms. Similar but slightly different designs. 

Size: 2 x 2 x 4 in. 

#8 #4283 . 

French silver is often characterized by high quality and skilled workmanship, both ensured by particularly strict guild rules. The French hallmarking system is complex and dates back to the 13th Century, with the appearance of the first “Maisons Communes” marks. In the 17th and 18th Centuries the craft flourished under royal patronage, and a silversmith had to serve 8 years of apprenticeship and 3 years as a journeyman before being able to submit a trial work to the guild, hoping to obtain the status of “master.” The required French silver standard had to be above 958 parts out of 1000, compared to the general 800/1000 of most European countries, and even higher than Britain’s 925/1000. A large quantity of French silver was lost as a consequence of 17th Century edicts (demanding to melt silver to pay the state’s debts) and the French Revolution (1789), but their influence in terms of quality and design can be seen in the works of many neighboring countries from the era. With the Edict of Nantes of 1685 a huge number of Huguenots fled France fearing persecution, and among them were skilled silversmiths who took their talent to other countries, like Paul de Lamerie who became one of the most important silversmiths operating in Britain. In the 18th Century the French custom of placing food in platters at the center of the table, known as “service à la française,” encouraged the development of the tureen, which became the most popular feature of the table throughout Europe, often accompanied by large sets of dishes and sculptural candelabra. As a result French styles of this period became iconic: Rococo, Neoclassical, and Empire styles were widespread throughout all of Europe. The Rococo style is distinguished by organic forms, often embossed and applied in high-relief with swirling foliage and flowers. The Neoclassical and Empire styles are more austere, inspired by Greek and Roman elements such as swags, rosettes, palmettes and acanthus leaves. In the 19th and 20th Century French silver became more eclectic, due both to changing tastes and rapid technological progress. Inventive and skilled silversmiths such as Odiot, Christofle, Cardeilhac, Tetard Freres, Risler et Carré and many more created exceptional pieces, often working with famous artists and designers of the time and re-elaborating and mixing elements from popular styles of the past. One of the most iconic and renowned French silver manufacturers was Maison Odiot, founded by Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot (Napoleon’s personal silversmith). During the 19th Century, under the guidance of his grandson Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot, the firm supplied silverware to the principal European Royal Families, and won countless prizes for exceptional presentation pieces presented to International Exhibitions. Today French silver continues to be of the highest standard, which the rest of Europe aspires to emulate.