Musstard Pot TH Hallmark help appreciated identifying maker.

[Lloyd]

Hi All,

Am new to forum,would appreciate help identifying hallmark TH in picture on base of solid silver Mustard Pot...No other hallmarks I can find but does test as solid silver...Sorry pic is fuzzy,(must get better camera)...There is no dot between T AND H and is in a rectangle..after makers mark is number 6135.,

Thanks in advance..

Lloyd

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/004hm.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/001iz.jpg

[dognose]

Hi Lloyd,

Welcome to the Forum.

With the absence of any hallmarking or stated silver content, your mustard pot is likely to be silver plated. However, if you want to satisfy yourself as to whether it is silver or not, below is a couple of links to specific gravity testing. This method is far more accurate than acid testing and does not damage the item.

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=11330&p=25002

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=8321&p=18564

Trev.

[Lloyd]

Hi Trev,

Thanks for that,I'm not an expert in telling plate from sterling...(but learning!)...I don't really want to purchase scales and test density as I don't buy silver very often.
(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

Anyhow..It does have a flake on the handle,(not a 99!) where some silver is missing...but underneath it is silver colour...does this mean is likely to be plate...?

Is it unusual for sterling to only have a makers mark?

I will prob take to a jewellers or a dealer to get opinion,prob best bet...

[Lloyd]

Maybe Theophilus Harvey of Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland? Anyone heard of him? Seems are other solid silver pieces around only marked TH...Guess more investigation needed.

p.s.
Apoligies if broke posting rules earlier Trev :os

[dognose]

No, not Theophilus Harvey. The mark 6135 would be a batch or pattern number, indicating a factory made article. Thomas Harwood of Birmingham is a possibility.

Trev.

[Lloyd]

Thanks for that Trev,

Excuse my obvious ignorance of silver and marks...Could it possibly be a Dutch or French piece do you think?

By the way,could you reccomend a good comprehensive book on silver halmark recognition?

cheers

Lloyd

[Lloyd]

Don't think it's Dutch though now as shape doesn't fit...But could be French??...The scrolling handle and finial match some French pots I have seen...and are a few French makers out there...Henry, Théodore ,Herbin, Toussaint who mark T.H....

[dognose]

Hi Lloyd,

A good book to start off would be Jackson's Silver & Gold marks of England, Scotland & Ireland (ACC edition, edited by Ian Pickford). But be warned, after reading it you may show signs of being infected with a terrible disease, known as 'silver collecting'. There is no known cure!

Trev.