Lebanon - which period and use ?

[Dendriet]

I assume these are from Lebanon.
But how old they are .... no idea.
Where was it used for?? (bread?)
Please let me know your feedback.

Dendriet

[Dendriet]

Forgot to tell.

The object is 18 cm long.


Dendriet

[Dendriet]

What am I doing wrong ?

Or something goes wrong on the site ?

I do as much as possible to place properly clear pictures !!!

When I see the number of vieuws (88), would I say that surely must be someone for a response.

Who knows anything about it. ??

But absolutely no response is very, very strange !!!

Dendriet

[dognose]

Dendriet

The only thing that is "very strange" is your lack of patience.

It has been less than three days since you posted your question, but already you are complaining about the lack of response. You need to understand that many members are only occasional visitors to the site and should a member, at some point, answer your question, they do so of their own choice and do so freely.

One can only imagine the reason for your demand for an immediate answer, but if it is that urgent perhaps you should consider hiring a paid appraiser.

Trev.

[Dendriet]

Dognose,

I just got back, so I can respond now
It is also clear to me.
It was also not correct as I've written.
I was indeed a lack of time, but that was more private matters.
That was also the reason I responded frustrated.
I just had a difficult time
That's why I was a while absent
My apologies..

Dendriet

[davidross]

What may be "wrong" with this post is the assumption that this item resembling a pastry server is from Lebanon. There seems to be no particular reason or rationale for this attribution.

Given the size of the country, its twentieth century inception (1926 / 1946), and its tragic history of civil war (1975-1990), I would imagine that Lebanese silver must be rather scarce. Indeed, the only definitely Lebanese piece of silver I have ever seen was an unprepossessing cast souvenir spoon with a Cyprus tree finial. It was marked LIBAN and 80 (perhaps missing a zero, presumably for 800 standard). One would expect there were fine silversmiths working in Lebanon during its "golden age" (the 1950s to mid-1970s), but I have been unable to find examples of such hallmarks.

While I freely admit that my area of expertise is the Far East and that I only very reluctantly participate in the neighbouring Middle Eastern Board because of the prevailing Eurocentric worldview that throws every place from Cairo to Tokyo and Manila into the same nineteenth century Orientalist basket, might I in all humility suggest that the somewhat grubby hallmark on the presumed pastry server bears a remarkable likeness to an Egyptian 900 hallmark from Cairo?

Hopefully someone with real expertise in Middle Eastern silver will read this and be moved to provide a completely satisfactory response.

Regards
DR

[dognose]

Similar such items appear in English 19th century catalogues described as 'Beef-Steak Tongs'



Trev.

[Dendriet]

@davidross
@Dognose


Very warm thanks for your comments
Hopefully we can find out, whether Egypt or Lebanon.

Dendriet

[Qrt.S]

Your tongs are made in Cairo in Egypt after about 1964 (two "dots", not one in the town mark) in the fineness of 900/1000. The left mark is the town mark and the right one the year mark. Unfortunately I don't have Egyptian year marks available.

Please note that I'm almost sure that somebody will argue about Cairo but the fact is that in some books the town marks are mixed.- As an example: In Tardy Alexandria should be Cairo, Beni Suef Alexandria and Cairo Beni Suef. Tanta is Tanta and Keneh is missing. In Divis the same fault is repeated. You will find the correct marks on page 50 (UAE) in English Tardy. By the way, there is another error in Tardy. The Arabic date letters are used after 1940 not 1946. To my understanding the last Latin letter P was used for 1940. This is also verified by Tardy because it states correctly that year letter N is 1938.
However, the new Arabic date lettering is a bit unclear (at least to me). Please also note that the cat mark was changed to the lotus mark in 1946.

[Qrt.S]

Forgot to tell Dendriet :
Once I asked a question regarding a to me unfamiliar silver mark. It took almost a year before I got an answer. So patience dear Dendriet PATIENCE! However, you are excused :-))))

[oel]

Hi,

Perhaps useful and with reference to Egyptian date letters;

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=27478"

http://www.mfti.gov.eg/affiliates/Natio ... ts/A03.htm"

Oel.

[Dendriet]

Hi Oel,

Thank you for the info.
This Egyptian list of dates letters, I've looked.
Can you see a similar letter ?

So that's why I had placed him as Lebanon, because it is very similar to that of Egypt.
It will be wrong, but that was my first thoughts.
Thanks again for your response


Dendriet

[oel]

Hi Dendriet,

To be honest no but our Middle East contributors, who visit us once in a while, will give you response but it might take some time.

Best,

Oel

[Dendriet]

Oel, thanks for your attention, understanding and patience.
I know that not everything is a matter of course.
Everyone thinks that everything is free, but thankful for the knowledge is often not available.

I have patience


Dendriet

[Dendriet]

Sorry Qrt.S

I have your report overlooked, very stupid of me.
And then you also have a clear report given to me.
I know I should keep my temper in check;))
Sometimes I am too stormy ;))
I'm improving my life ;))
Thanks again for the clear explanation.

Dendriet