Maker's Mark & Date help

[JT in Central VA]

I found this item metal detecting a 1850's -to- present homesite. Not exactly sure what the item is (I appoligize for posting on this forum if this is some sort of jewlery), but it is engraved Jannette on the outside, and I would like to track down the owner, or ancestor of the person this item belonged to, but I need help dating it, to help me in my research.

Also any info on the maker, and/or maker's mark would be greatly appreciated.

Also for the experts out there...when did they start stamping items sterling, and what does the 97 below the sterling mean?

Note: I think there could be intials in the makers mark, possibly CT at the bottom?

Thanks in advance for you help, it is really appreciated.

[dragonflywink]

Towle Silversmiths.

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

~Cheryl

[dragonflywink]

Heh, and it looks like it used to be a napkin ring. :-)

~Cheryl

[2209patrick]

I'll bet the dog got a hold of it.

Pat.

[byron mac donald]

Judging by the hole in the side of it, not a dog to mess with either.

Byron

[dragonflywink]

Ughhh, don't even want to think about destructive dogs, the boyfriend's bloodhound/bulldog mix just destroyed a gold chain I've had for over 25 years - in the scrap pile now.

~Cheryl

[JT in Central VA]

Thank you all for your help. By the way it is engraved Jannette on it, to me this seems like a first name, and if it was a napkin ring would it be common to be engraved with someones first name rather than a last name, or a name at all?

Also does anybody know what the 97 stands for? 1897?