Help with Cufflink ID

[marnski]

I've got these great looking links that I was told were French, and I'm hoping somebody can help me with the marks. I'm hoping you can see them in the pics, but if not, there is a diamond with "15" in it, then a rectangle with "CT", followed by a square with a "P".

I'd really appreciate any help with an ID as to content... 15K? ... or country of origin.

Thanks so much.






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[kerangoumar]

"15 ct" refers to the gold content of 15 karats (carat being a variant spelling) or 15 of 24 parts i.e. 5/8ths gold.

As to the other mark I can't say without seeing it but it would not be French (the French do not allow 15k as it is not high enough gold content, and in any case would have several more marks)- probably it is American.
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[admin]

More than likely British - "Ct" used in Britain, "Kt" in U.S.
The fifteen carat standard was in use from 1854 to 1932.

Regards, Tom
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[marnski]

Does anybody have any idea about the "P"? And if they're British, I would think the "P" would be a date mark... but then there would be an assay mark, no? And there are no other marks at all. Seems strange.

Thanks.
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[kerangoumar]

The fifteen carat standard was in use from 1854 to 1932.

Tom - was it used without other control marks?
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[admin]

Yes, theoretically only on items that fell within the hallmark exemptions guidelines. The exemption rules are a bit convoluted and seem open to debate about what they do and do not apply to. Judging by the amount of obviously British work I've seen in both gold & silver that have partial marks or no marks, there would seem to have also been some confusion about it within the trade. Trev has posted them somewhere here, I'll do a search and add the link.
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[admin]

Hallmarking Exemption Laws - 1790

Marking Silver Plate,1790. (30 Geo.111.c.31).
3.From and after the 28th.May 1790 , nothing in the said Acts ofeither of them contained shall extend to oblige any of the following wares of SILVER to be stamped or marked by the said respective companies of goldsmiths or any of them with the marks or any of them mentioned in the aforesaid Act made in the 12th year of Geo., or be marked with the said new mark of the King's head mentioned in the aforesaid act in the 24th year of his present Majesty ( that is to say), CHAINS, NECKLESS BEADS, LOCKETS, ANY PHILIGREE WORK, SHIRT BUCKLES OR BROOCHES, STAMPED METALS, OR SPOUTS To CHINA, STONE OR EARTHENWARE TEAPOTS, OR ANY OF THEM , OF ANY WEIGHT WHATSOEVER.
From and after 28th May , 1790 , nothing in the said Acts or either of them contained shall extend to oblige any of the following wares of SILVER to be stamped or marked by the said respective companies of goldsmiths or any of them with the marks or any of them mentioned in the aforesaid Act made in the 12th of Geo. 11., or to be marked with the said new mark of the Kings head mentioned in the aforesaid Act made in the 24th year of his present Majesty ( that is to say ) , TIPPINGS, SWAGES OR MOUNTS OR ANY OF THEM, NOT WEIGHING 10 DWT . OF SILVER EACH SAVE AND ACCEPT ONLY NECKS AND COLLARS FOR CASTERS , CRUETS OR GLASSES APPERTAINING TO ANY SORT OF STANDS OR FRAMES .
From and after 28th May 1790 nothing in the said Acts or either of them contained shall extend to oblige any wares of SILVER whatsoever not weighing 5 DWT.of Silvereach to be marked or stamped by the said respective companies of goldsmiths or any of them with the marks or any of them mentioned in the aforesaid Act in the 12th year GEO 11. , or to be marked with the said new mark of the Kings head mentioned in the aforesaid Act made in the 24th year of his present Majesty SAVE AND ACCEPT ONLY THE FOLLOWING SILVER WARES ( that is to say ) , NECKS, COLLARS AND TOPS FOR CASTERS , CRUETS OR GLASSES appertainingto any sorts of stands or frames, BUTTONS to be affixed to or set on any wearing apparel , SOLID SLEEVE BUTTONS AND SOLID STUDS not having a bissilled edge soldered on , WROUGHT SEALS, BLANK SEALS BOTTLED TICKETS, SHOE CLASPS, PATCH BOXES , SALT SPOONS, SALT SHOVELS , SALT LADLES ,TEASPOONS , TEA STRAINERS , CADDY LADLES, BUCKLES ( shirt buckle or brooches before mentioned accepted ) , and pieces to garnish cabinets or knife cases or tea chests or bridles or stands or frames.

Hope you understand it, its as clear as mud to me,
Regards Trev.

as noted these are for silver 1790, but I recall reading (I think in Chaffers, which isn't handy at the moment) the amended rules of The Gold and Silver Wares Act of 1844 or 1854, which had stipulations about gold items that would have applied to the marking of these links.

Regards, Tom
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[kerangoumar]

Tom -

It's interesting that the exemption mentions teaspoons when they are one of the most frequently completely marked objects. I have seen a fair number of larger items with no marks that were English; also partial or variant marks. Often people who come to this site hope to get a neat, clear-cut explanation of who-what-when but go away befuddled because there are no answers in many cases. Even some of the finest silver work is unmarked or untraceable. One would think that the Plimsoll Cup, for example, should be attributable to a known maker but it is not. And it is not that old. Whereas the Church Silver of Pembroke, Wales, is made by an unknown maker from the 15th C - so that is understandable.

By the way, what is a 'bissilled' edge I am not at home and don't have access to my books on obscure terms.
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