Jean Villain, admitted master in 1670, was banned from the Guild for one year in 1676 for his involvement in an affair involving false contremarques. In 1680 he registered the mark which appears on these spoons and in 1686 he is listed living in rue Lamoignon. He seems to have continued to be involved in shady business practices, for on May 22, 1694 it is recorded that the mark of Jean Villain was broken by the command of the Maitrise d'Orfèvrerie.

It is interesting to note that at this date two discharge marks were used, one for vaisselles plates, in other words, objects made from a single piece of silver, and another for vaisselles montées, or objects made from several pieces and assembled with solder. Presumably because the bowls of these teaspoons were made separately from the stems they are marked with the latter mark.