😮 Hello All,
First post.I found this awesome vintage tray/inkwell/candelabra item and thought it was Brass.Turns out to be Silver with a gold wash gilt plate? Stamped A.AUCOC with what appears to be the Minerva 1st tier stamp next and then 100. Awesome find but my question is should I clean / polish or leave as is.It has a lot of tarnish and maybe some of the gilt is gone?
Thanks in advance for any help or info will post pictures soon.
Andre Aucoc did not take the company over until 1887 and ran it till 1911 !! Need to see the mark not just know what is written !!
To answer your question,, No,, I would not clean it if it were mine !! If you go with a major auction house to sell it,, Let their people take any risk on the cleaning !!
They should have professionals !! As to value that depends on many things,, where you are and how you intend to sell it are two concerns as well as how much of the gilt has been lost !! Someone who can do a hands on would be better qualified than I am !! These pics do not show much !!
Nice set !! Is there a name anywhere on it ?? Look closely Top, bottom ect !! Can you post pics of the bottom and a close up of the damaged areas where the gilt is missing ??
The name is A.AUCOC French company that was established 1821 till 1911 .They were quite the company so I’ve read.I will add some more pics
After the name stamp A.AUCOC there is a Minerva Tier 1 Stamp I think (Which means .950+ Silver) then there is a light 100 stamped.Not sure if that is a date code.The company was in Paris from 1836 till 1911
Thank you.