Page 1 of 1

Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 3:55 am
by Ermione123
Hello, If someone could help me identify the marks on this handmade ring, I'd much appreciate it. I would like to know the approximate age and perhaps where it was made and by whom. I have been told that although it is similar to a British hallmark, it is not British as the lion passant and crown were not used together. I have had the ring tested and it is solid 18ct gold. I think it is set with a carnelian but am not sure about that either. Photos of the hallmarks, ring and stone are below.
Many thanks,
Em.

Image

Image

(admin photo edit)

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:40 pm
by Ermione123
Is there anyone able to help me with this please?

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 3:44 am
by AG2012
Hi,
The ring was resized and part of the mark is missing (most likely gold standard).
Nevertheless,the combination of crown and lion passant (both facing right and left) is known to have been used by Australian silversmiths - jewelers.
The crown is Queen`s crown of Queen Victoria. Cannot tell if they changed to King`s crown of King George V and VI which was done on e.g. regimental badges.
Example bellow is on Australian gold ring and a mark used by an Adelaide silversmith (not L&W).
You can contact The Gold & Silversmiths Guild of Australia at http://www.gsga.org.au/
and enter ``Australia`` into the search engine of this page (top right).Good luck.
Regards

Image

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 9:26 am
by Ermione123
Thanks very much. I did some research prior to asking here and thought it may have been made by William Lamborn & Leopold Wagner who made jewellery in Londsdale Street Melbourne around 1860 but I have been unable to find any photos of their marks so wasn't sure. All I know is that they marked their jewellery with a crown and an L&W. I'm am unsure if they also used the lion passant.
If anyone has any photos of marks used by Lamborn & Wagner Melbourne, I'd love to see them.
Many thanks,
Em.

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 6:41 am
by SteveDWollongong
Hi Em,

Some years ago I searched extensively on Lamborn & Wagner and found three sets of marks attributed to them.
They are:

1. L & W
2. Star, L & W, Star
3. Crown, L & W, Crown

So yours with the crown and lion passant don't quite fit but then I don't know the significance behind the stars and crown marks and yours could be yet another variation but unknown at this point.

You have asked for a photo of their mark and Ill be happy to provide one but I need to photograph it tomorrow in daylight. Don't get too excited though, as my set of the star marks are damaged due to a really poor lead solder reattachment of the C catch and the rough filing around it . Although worn, the L & W are clearly visible, but to my eyes the fonts are a little different to yours.

Until tomorrow,
Steve

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:16 am
by Ermione123
Hi Steve,
A photo of your marks would be great, thank-you and thanks for telling me about the range of marks you know of too. From what you've told me, I'm still not sure if it is by them but hopefully someone else may be able to add to this with some more information or photos of marks by Lamborn & Wagner.
Warmest regards,
Em.

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:46 pm
by SteveDWollongong
Hi Em,

Here are the photos. I had trouble due to rain outside and the LED lighting inside isn't ideal. There are two shots of the marks, the first attempting a sharper photo of the letters and the second enlargement trying to show the star next to the clasp as it is easily identifiable as the star using a loupe. Three points of the left hand star can just be seen with a loupe but I'm unable to photograph to the required precision.

Image

Image



Cheers,
Steve

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:37 pm
by Ermione123
Thanks for those Steve. As it turned out, I managed to find out for sure today that the ring is definitely by Lamborn & Wagner. On another forum, someone posted a photo of marks in a book and mine are exactly the same as the bottom picture. Here they are in case anyone else needs them.
Thanks for all you help and the trouble you went through for me.
Kindest regards,
Em.
Image

Image

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:26 am
by SteveDWollongong
Thanks for that. I've just embedded your photo for all to see. Did the other forum cite the reference book as it would be good to know. Otherwise could you let us know the forum URL providing that its not a commercial website as posting links to commercial sites are against our forum rules. If you are unsure wether its commercial or not just click on the Private Message link above next to your login and send it to me via a PM.

Thankyou,
Steve

Image

Image

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:40 am
by SteveDWollongong
Hi Em,

Is it "Australian Jewellers - Gold & Silversmiths Makers and Marks" by Cavil, Cocks and Grace?

Thanks,
Steve

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 3:07 am
by Ermione123
Thank-you Steve and have sent you a PM.

Re: Unusual hallmarks on old 18ct gold handmade ring

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:30 am
by Ermione123
Sorry Steve, I forgot to add that the information that confirmed the identity of the maker of my ring was taken from 'AUSTRALIANA' magazine by Michel Reymond for November 2014 and 'BLING' catalogue of exhibits from the 2016 goldfields jewellery exhibition which I'd be happy to send you if you'd like? You may have already seen the references if you read through the posts on the other website. I'd be happy to send you the 'BLING' catalogue of exhibits from the 2016 goldfields jewellery exhibition. It's a .pdf document. I tried to add it here but couldn't find how and it may not be possible anyhow.