Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/184

130 ON THE ASSAY MARKS ON GOLD AND SILVER PLATE. at Goldsraitlis' Hall in precisely the same manner as then — even to the mode of folding up the papers to contain the scrapings of the metal to be assayed. If the article examined is found to be of the required fineness, the marks are stamped on it with punches ; but if the metal is not of the proper quality the article is crushed, and so delivered back to the maker. It is scarcely to be believed possible that every separate part of every article made of silver in this country should go through this process of examination, but such is the fact ; and the public are greatly indebted to the Company of Goldsmiths for this most effectual protection against the frauds which prevailed in earlier times. That the mode of assay as now practised was in use in the fourteenth century, we find from some very curious and interesting particulars given in the " Publications de la Societe Archeologique de Montpellier," respecting the early goldsmiths of that place, which was long famous for its gold and the workers of it, who in the fourteenth century constituted a fraternity governed by statutes. Montpellier had also a standard of its own, which however does not seem to have been a very high one, since fine silver might consist of one-third alloy, or such silver as would come white out of the fire, and gold of fourteen carats might be worked. By these statutes the goldsmiths were expressly forbidden to manufacture articles in gilt or silvered copper or brass, save ornaments and utensils for churches, to mount real stones in jewellery of base metal, or to set false stones in gold or silver. The account of the goldsmiths of Montpellier tlirows much light on our subject. It appears that in 1355 great abuses had been introduced into the fabrication of articles of silver, and the result of the consequent disputes between the consuls of the town and the goldsmiths was, that the following regulations for the ti"ade of goldsmiths were made : — That all vessels and works of silver made by the argentiers of Montpellier must be of the standard of 11 deniers and 1 obole or 12 grains at the least.^ The goldsmiths were to ^ Denier was the term used in Fr'ance of twelve deiiiers was pure, and eleven to denote the fineness of silver as carat deniei-s and one obole had only one is for gold. The silver is divided into twenty-fourth part alloy. This quality twelve deniers, and each denier into two was also called Argent le Roy. oboles or twenty-four grains : hence silver