Decorative plate of new silver, Christophle, France, late 19th-early 20th century.
Richly decorated with floral motifs, plate, made of so-called new silver*. On the underside, punches allowing to identify the material (head of a goat in a rhombus inscribed in a square = new silver) and the manufacturer - Christophle manufactory (rooster with signature Orfevrerie Gallia = Christophle*). Very good condition.
Dimensions: 19.5 x 2 cm.
* New silver, also known by the names melchior, alpaca, alphenid, arfenil, neusilber, Schefild silver, Chinese silver, Christophle metal, is an alloy containing 40-70% copper, 10-20% nickel and 5-40% zinc - so contrary to its name it does not contain silver, but was so named because of its visual resemblance, for this reason it was eagerly used by manufacturers of silver and silver-plated products / sets. It was particularly popular in France in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. (Alphenide is named after the French chemist and goldsmith Charles Halphen, who brought the alloy to France from China and popularized it in Europe). The Alphenide manufactory was bought out in 1908 by the market tycoon Christophle brand and renamed Orfevrerie Gallia.
