Sorry, that was only half an answer! The first time a commemorative mark was used was in 1935/6 for the Silver Jubilee of George V and Queen Mary and the second time was 1953/4 for the coronation of the present Queen.
The bottom mark on this ingot is the special commemorative mark for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. This was only the third time such a supplimentary comemorative mark was used.
This spoon is 19.5cm long and weighs 20g. The mark is a conjoined HR. The origins of this spoon are uncertain. Would anyone care to venture an opinion? Paul. http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/42321/2004053698629497629_th.jpg http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/45888/2004057842252238572_th.jpg
This is a Russian spoon made in Moscow around 1910 and is the product of the “9th Artel”. I know that Artels were “guilds” of craftsmen of various skills and the 9th Artel were the engravers, but I have not been able to find any more information, other than a few small references in various books on...
This is the mark on a simple baluster cream jug. The jug looks typically English, as does the makers mark, (of which there is no trace in English references) but the lack of a full set of accompanying hallmarks suggests otherwise. Anyone any ideas? Paul. http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/41954/200089...
Arizona Silver was one of the many trade names for the alloy generically called Nickle Silver. It is an alloy of copper nickle and zinc. It was often plated with silver as E.P.N.S.
Your jug is not “solid silver” it is Electro Plated Britannia Metal. This is a base metal alloy of tin copper and usually an amount of antimony, which is then silver plated by electro deposition.
This is a Fiddle and Thread salt spoon. It has the “Swan” mark for silver of unknown origin. In a thread from 2006 a question was asked about a letter “P” within the cartouche. The opinion was that it probably referred to the Paris Assay Office. The mark on this spoon has a capital “M” just above th...
Just another thought after seeing the latest pics. It could be what is often called “transitional”. This occurred around the 1840's & 50's, just after electro-plate was invented. Manufacturers continued to make pieces in the fused plate manner, with the mountings as you have on your tray, but ma...
The close-up pictures seem to show striations characteristic with some kind of fused plate, such as Old Sheffield Plate. The cast, applied vine mounts and the rolled over edges, as viewed from the back, also point towards this being something other than electro-plated. It is difficult to be sure wit...
Hello, These spoons are “Old English” pattern. This was the most widely produced silver plated pattern of the 20th century. Almost every flatware manufacturer would turn out “Old English”. From the colour of the pieces in your picture, these definitely look like E.P.N.S. and I would suggest that the...
What you have there is an “incuse” duty mark. The duty mark was in this “reverse” form for two years from when it was first introduce in 1784. So you can date your tongs to either 1784 or 1785.
I must agree with Patrick. Oneida Community Plate was sold in the U.K. (and probably other countries) from the 1950'swith this signature on the cutlery blades and the underside of holloware pieces. I think what you have there is a sugar bowl from a tea set.