www.925-1000.com

I purchased an enamelled silver spoon at an estate auction and I'm having a terrible time identifying it. The hallmark is nearly indistinguishable. It looks like a large "G" followed by a small "m" and a mark that looks like a "~". There is another mark that looks like a 6-sided chevron with a fork inside.

The spoon is triangular is shape and is decorated on the back with intricate enamelling and something written in an Arabic (or Persian?) script. Since I was unable to get pictures of the hallmarks that would be of any use, I do have pictures of the spoon itself and hope someone can tell me what it says or whether they've seen a spoon of this shape before.





Thanks for any help, and do let me know if you can't see the pictures.

Cherie

Please add photo of mark, even if poor image.

Your souvenir spoon is from the Turkish Ottoman Empire, the finial depicts a minaret (mosque tower), nice detail of the crescent and star in the enamelled spiral on the handle. The first mark you describe would probably be the purity mark and the second the tughra (monogram) of the reigning Sultan. You can date the piece by the tughra, but unless it's very clear and you have a good eye, it can be difficult. The Ottoman Empire had completely fallen by 1922, so your piece would date before that. Check on this site to see if your marks resemble the ones shown for Turkey.

http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html

Cheryl ;o)

Thank you for the information! I will try to post a picture of the mark when I get home from work later tonight.