Hallmark on Silver Ewer and Basin

[cgnowak]

Our magnificent silver ewer and basin has what we believe to be the maker's mark, but we can't determine where and who the maker is. Further puzzling is we can't find an assay nor national mark. I know these ewers and basins were once commonly used for ablutions, and most aren't particularly collectible nor beautifully designed, but ours is magnificent with a diamond lattice pattern in repoussé technique throughout. Any insights will be greatly appreciated. Here's a link to my page on Dropbox where you may view three images:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hmmf5yro25oy ... a0f-a?dl=0

Thanks and warm regards,

Chris

[dognose]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the Forum.

Please embed your images.

Trev.

[cgnowak]

Our magnificent silver ewer and basin has what we believe to be the maker's mark, but we can't determine where and who the maker is. Further puzzling is we can't find an assay nor national mark. I know these ewers and basins were once commonly used for ablutions, and most aren't particularly collectible nor beautifully designed, but ours is magnificent with a diamond lattice pattern in repoussé technique throughout. Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Middle%20E ... 44azlg.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Middle%20E ... -2544g.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Middle%20E ... 2544hx.jpg

Thanks and warm regards,

Chris

[Damon]

Hello

The script might be Armenian. That is an avenue worth pursuing

Damon

[cgnowak]

Thanks a lot Damon.

What led you to that conclusion, and can you decipher the hallmark? Appears to be to read "3C gm" or "3G gm"

[Damon]

Chris,

The shape of the ewer or aftaba suggests Ottoman/Persian/maybe northern Indian

The script is not Arabic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish or Urdu. It is not Roman either. From my vantage point that leaves Armenian or possibly Georgian each of which is spoken in the region and has its own distinctive alphabet. I don't read Armenian or Georgian so can't help on the translation.

If you google "ottoman silver ewer sultan mahmud II" you ought to come across the image of an uncannily similiar ewer sold at auction in 2012.

The surface decoration is so similar that both pieces could be made in the same workshop. Let us assume that your item is Ottoman Turkish based on the attribution of the item sold at auction.

There were many accomplished Armenian silver smiths in Ottoman Turkey. See thread viewtopic.php?t=37437&start=20

This supports the Armenian hypothesis.

Have you checked to see if there are other stamps on your ewer - especially a tugra - the highy stylized name of the reigning sultan?

This looks like a fine item. I would have it identified at a museum which has staff who are competent in Ottoman silver

Hope this helps to some extent

Thanks for the post

Damon

[cgnowak]

Thank you so much Damon for taking the time to share your insights. Really appreciate it. I'm visiting my client today and will inspect the piece again and take additional photos. --Chris

[cgnowak]

Inspected the items again and found only what appears to be the maker's mark, and no tugra. Letters certainly do look like Armenian and it's logical their works didn't carry the tugra given Armenia's long and troubled relationship with the Ottoman empire and Turkey.

Here's a good shot of the mark...

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Middle%20E ... 544zcx.jpg

Now just need to translate the Armenian text!

Thanks again, Chris

[dognose]

Hi Chris,

Please embed your your images.

Trev.