009. Liberty head hallmark to the right in an oval frame

Hallmark of Liberty’s head to the right in an oval frame. Recall hallmark for large objects in gold and silver. Paris 1797.

The information on the Liberty head hallmark and the hallmark illustrations on this site come from the book Traditional French Jewellery, written by Mike Fieggen, expert in antique jewellery and hallmarks from Osprey Paris. This 300-page book, the definitive reference on French regional jewels and their hallmarks, is available in French and English in our store, on Amazon and at certain bookshops. A complete list of assay office marks, small secret symbols in the hallmarks that allow you to identify in which city an object was hallmarked, as well as a list of the closing dates of the assay offices, are included in this book. You can thus, for the first time, locate the origin of the jewels and also date them with more precision.

Book available on this site or visit the site www.bijouxregionaux.fr

What is a recall hallmark?

During the introduction of new hallmarks, often following the theft of hallmarks or the discovery of false hallmarks, an recall is decreed to check the hallmarks on existing jewellery among professionals. Here are the instructions given to the hallmark offices in 1838:

The recall hallmarks will be applied free of charge and without carat verification on objects already legally marked with the recall hallmark of 1819 or with hallmarks in use from August 1, 1819 until May 9, 1838 inclusive.

As for gold and silver objects that bear hallmarks other than these, and objects whose marks, altered by use or by the lack of care taken in polishing, can no longer be appreciated, they must not bear the recall hallmark; one applies to them the new hallmarks; they will therefore be subject to testing and payment of the duty, unless the possessor prefers to break them.

The same will be done, and without prejudice to the proceedings that must be taken in such cases, with regard to objects which are imprinted with false hallmarks.

As far as possible, and to facilitate subsequent verifications, the recall mark must be applied alongside the old hallmarks and be accompanied by the counter-mark.

Silverware and jewellery for the personal use of manufacturers and merchants should be counted as the works of their trade.

There is no need to extend the recall to works owned by simple individuals, any more than those which can be found on deposit at the Mont-de-Piété (pawnbrokers).