Strange marks on tablespoons. Anu help would be much appreci

[needtoknow]

These marks are on 6 old large european size serving spoons.
The only references that come up are to do with Bunsen burners!!
Thank you i advance for any information

[silverport]

Hello

It seems to me that first mark is that of Hannover, now capital of Lower Saxony, Germany.

Cipher 15 signification could be year 1815 — because their early marks had two ciphers as indication of the year.

German silver was divided in 16 Lot: 16 = pure silver; 14 Lot = 875-1,000, old item; but for reason of economic changes (war’s …) was during long period minimum fineness 13 Lot (sometimes also indicated by cipher 13) = 812.5-1,000; again for reason of economic changes (war’s …) was then during long period minimum fineness 12 Lot (often indicated by cipher 12) = 750-1,000; the Napoleonic war’s period was again reason of lowering of fineness, 11 Lot = 0.6875-1,000 until 10 Lot = 625-1,000; it’s reported that seldom several town had 9 Lot = 0.5625-1,000.

1815 was a period of “breath taking” after the Napoleonic wars — which fineness Hannover has had I don’t know; maybe 12 Lot?

For what the letter E stand for, I don’t know.

BUNSEN could be the maker; or a retailer’s mark only?

That this set of 6 spoons are 6 serving spoons is unlikely - but 6 soup spoons well; their length is 21.5 cm = about 8.5 inch.

Kind regards silverport

[blakstone]

Yes, Hanover is correct — more specifically Hannover Altstadt (“Old City”), which was a separate municipality from Hannover Neustadt (“New City”) with a separate goldsmith’s guild until 1824.

"15" stand for 15 lot silver, not the year. 15 lot (.937) silver is not common, but it was used in Hanover, along with 12, 13 & 14 lot.

“E” is the guild warden’s mark. These are not known with great certainty in Hanover, but “E” was used from at least 1794 until at least 1814.

The maker BUNSEN is court goldsmith Johann Daniel Conrad Bunsen/Bundsen (1759-1821) or (much less likely) his father, goldsmith Franz Peter Bunsen/Bundsen (ca. 1725-1795).

Hope this helps!

Ref: Wolfgang Scheffler, Goldschmiede Nidersachsens (Berlin: de Gruyter, 1965), Hanover makers 70 & 47

[Theoderich]

there is the 12 Loth hallmark and the Maker Bunsen.

I think it is the father Frantz Peter Bunsen

[needtoknow]

Thank you yet again silverport , you are a veritable fount of knowledge! I am most obliged. Josephine.

[needtoknow]

this is my second "thank you" to Blackstone. Thank you for taking the time to add a picture for me. Much Obliged. Josephine.

[needtoknow]

Actually it was Theoderic that attached the picture-many thanks. Josephine.

[silverport]

Hello Josephine

Thank you so much for your compliment!

»blackstone« is the »Primus inter pares« - he has much more, as only the "bibles" (Guias)!

»Theoderich« with his huge amount of real German marks picture's, where you could study not only nicely struck, but also bad struck or worn mark's, is an other essencial!

"Bibles" I haven't here, except my brain; because I live in exile, without my archive and collection.

You know: You are always welcome with your questions in »925-1000«!

Kind regards silverport