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There must be some particular reason that a box would be decorated with the sassafras leaf-- and it is an unusual motif. Not one that I've ever come across before. It might well have been a small box for transporting the roots of the plant. I can't say for certain.

The funny thing about the hinges is that what you are seeing are not hinges at all! Those are false hinges. The hinges for this box are entirely hidden on the inside! No part of them can be seen from the exterior. Remarkable. Thanks! I could not have figured it out without you.

I think of it as an exploration. We cannot learn if we don't venture into the unknown. Thank you for that post. I think you've absolutely nailed it. Plenty examples of his snuff boxes out there with the same flower motifs. The marks have differences, but also key similarities. What a fabulous find a...

Me too! Interested and have never seen it before on silver or other items symbolically. I think it is highly significant as it pegs the box to the Eastern US and hints at possible colonial origins. As you say, there is a great deal of early mythology surrounding the plant. "Because early Sassaf...

Hi there, I'm really stuck on this snuff box. I can't find the maker mark anywhere. Here's what I can tell from looking at it: 1.) Dimensions are: 1.2" x 1.6" x 2.70" (31 x 41 x 68mm). Unusually heavy construction at 134 grams. 2.) Parcel gilt interior 3.) Hidden hinges 4.) Monogramme...

I have a recommendation and a contact. I'll update it if it's positive or negative.

I'm not certain. It's a good catch. My best guess is that the date that the will was witnessed (1748) is far earlier than the death date of the "sick" Nicholas, but that date has been mistaken for a death date by later parties. This is what I've pieced together about the family, but I'm no...

I think the mark is so small that a typical person would not have the technical ability to inscribe such small letters. You cannot see it without magnification. So, I think more likely a jeweler or a silversmith marked it. Isaac b. 1766 and d. 1846, so it's possible that this inscription was ca. 182...

I misstated the conveyance to Isaac. It was the real estate and not the tools. But the will suggests that the tools may have conveyed from Jan to Nicholas and then to his other son.

Buckle up. This is a complicated one. I recently bought a small (2.5" tall x 8.25" wide, 320 grams) two handled hammered silver bowl.This bowl is causing some conversation. The bowl is crudely made, and almost appears similar in style (at first blush) to a Spanish Colonial piece. It has a ...

Ok! Back to the drawing board! I'm glad I started off by saying I'm a novice! Thanks again. All very helpful information.

Very interesting comments and thank you for making them. The Order of St John appears to have come to Great Britain late in the 1800s, so while I don't think that is a match, I think it's the right idea. Might it be the Order of Malta? I sifted through the list of Barons that fit the time period (th...

Thanks, Trev.

The only elements I've managed so far are (maybe):

Maltese cross
Corvus, Raven, or Rook (maybe)
Bear
Bible
A sinister hand

I am a complete novice at crests and could use any input whatsoever. I have high hopes that this one might be identified.

Thanks in advance!

Nate

Before XRF, I filed the bottom of the foot and did not hit base metal. And then I acid tested it. Seems to be solid silver. I'm not aware of any other methods I could use to confirm.

Thank you for the replies! I too thought this should be tested in the absence of purity marks. I took it to a professional today and they subjected it to XRF and it measured at around 93% silver. It is a busy piece, so it's possible I've missed purity marks somehow, but I don't believe so. So, for a...

See also this thread with another mark.

http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=49071

I recently recovered a large and heavy (800 grams) creamer and sugar set. The pieces are cast with applied cast feet and handles. There is a join line showing that the pitcher was cast in two pieces and the pitcher only has many hammer marks on the interior. There is no silver purity mark on these--...

Thanks, you guys!

I did search for the thread but was not able to locate it..