Unknown maker

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15121990
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Perthshire, Scotland

Unknown maker

Post by 15121990 »

Hi,

Recently acquired this Dundee toddy ladle, any ideas on possible maker? Could the H be the maker's mark and not a date mark?

Image

Image

Any input appreciated.

Iain
dognose
Site Admin
Posts: 59003
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: England

Re: Unknown maker

Post by dognose »

Hi Iain,

The mark has been attributed in the past to James Harris of Dundee, but I've always had a sneaking feeling that we are not supposed to know the actual maker. Similar marking has been noted by 'D' with three pots of lillies, and 'W' with three pots of lillies, and I think that such marking was applied following pressure by the Edinburgh Assay Office to make Dundee silversmiths comply with the hallmarking laws of the period, threatening them with large fines for non-compliance. The striking of the single letter would no doubt make it harder for the authorities to successfully prove the identity of the manufacturer.

Trev.
15121990
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:43 pm
Location: Perthshire, Scotland

Re: Unknown maker

Post by 15121990 »

Thanks Trev, helpful as always. I'd seen a ref to D but couldn't find anything specific for the H stamp. We're a lawless lot up here :-)

best,

Iain
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