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Hi David, found this; Zee Wo {Shi Wo} 370 Honan Road, Shanghai circa 1870-1925. The real identity of this maker is actually Shi Wo. Zee Wo is literally a “bad” or “deliberately bad” transliteration of Shi Wo perhaps Se Wo is another bad translation. From: Chinese Export Silver 1785-1940 Cataloque of...

Engine turning machines were invented perhaps as early as the 16th century and for metal (silver) used 18th century. Not hand engraved but the engraving done by a machine operated by man. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilloch%C3%A9 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_engine_lathe On You Tube fascinati...

Hi, Some helpful links about engraving some with what looks like a turn table. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgMqqA9bge4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRhLo3E5474 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1ua9zpFQjU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZkARnmOdyE&list=PL98930A5B9E9CE71C You can find most of ...

Hi welcome to the forum. The mark to me looks like a gold assay mark, used in former French Algeria (1830-1962), today known as Algiers.


Oel.

Hi Qrt.S, A device mark could be confusing, so I took the trouble to look up some of the device marks mentioned in my book written by Citroen “Dutch Goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ marks prior to 1812, actually the book shows letter, figure and device marks and has a note: shapes of shields surroundin...

Hi David,

Thank you very much for your thorough and clear explanation. I checked my cocktail shaker for a fourth claw; filled & shaken but not stirred, it only showed three claws, after I finished its content it appeared a fourth claw could be present and knocked me out.

Cheers,

Oel.

Elisabeth I, the Virgin Queen and Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded by order of Elisabeth I.

Cheers,

Oel.

Hi welcome to the forum. I believe we could do with some sharper images: macro mode (tulip function ) good digital camera of the marks .

Oel .

Hi,

The full face of a “royal” male lion crowned versus a Leopard head crowned.

Perhaps by taken off the Leopards crown a historical (heraldry) error has been corrected and gave London its Leopard head.
See: http://www.ascasonline.org/articoloSETTEM174.html

Best,

Oel

In a nut shell, an opinion and I stand to be corrected: The Leopard head Crowned indicating coin standard by Royal Degree In the early middle ages all assay work had to be done in London and the silver standard=coin standard (by Royal degree/Mint) and the silver standard mark; the Leopard head crown...

Hi, please use the English language , as we al have to!
Oel.

Hi,

Could anyone show the maker’s mark of Pierre Labrosse? I checked Jackson’s but could not find the mark of Pierre Labrosse. I only could find on the internet; MARK PLB, KEY BETWEEN, ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE LABROSSE

Thanks in advance


Oel.

Japanese dragon versus Chinese dragon Hi David, Talking dragons, may I ask you; are there noticeable differences between the number of claws possessed by a Japanese dragon and the number of claws possessed by a Chinese dragon? I have read that if the dragon has more than three claws its Chinese; som...

Hi David, Talking dragons, may I ask you; are there noticeable differences between the number of claws possessed by a Japanese dragon and the number of claws possessed by a Chinese dragon? I have read that if the dragon has more than three claws its Chinese; s ome authors differentiate Japanese ryū...

To All, I humbly have to correct my previous statements about a Device mark because the device mark shown on the spoon, to be a maker’s mark, should have been surrounded by a shield. NB. Those marks normally occur in a shield and the shape of the shield could mirror the heraldic fashion of the time....

Thanks Maurice and I am glad you more or less confirm what I tried to explain in a few words. A little and minor issue and only for the record; a device mark is a maker’s mark, struck by the master, reference; Dutch Goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ marks and names prior to 1812, Citroen page 12, first ...

After a little more research, I tend to agree with you but I like to use the word Dutch in appearance and yes we clearly have a Dutch connection, but we lack the comfort of any Dutch hallmarks to support it. So far we might have forgotten to mention the word fake. Herewith another example; from a we...

I use "Het zilver Lexicon" and it does show a similar knife called “Leeuwtjesmes” translated "Little -Lionknife", originated late 18th century with round handle with a typical Dutch decoration of: acanthus leaves, shell decors and scrolls and with a little lion; http://imageshack...

Patina is not only dirt and comes with age, like our skin, dirt can be washed away with water and soap, patina not. http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=26020 The way we use and take care of our silver could influence its patina and the absent of patina does not always mean, not ol...

Most often popular trends & styles are copied by silversmiths. The horse and rider does not make it typical Dutch, perhaps a tulip or windmill does. Yes, there are Dutch examples but the lack of any hallmarks, or at least the absence of any Dutch marks, makes it pure speculation. To pinpoint it ...