Possible Dutch Silverware - help identifying Makers Mark

[alexx]

Hello and thank you for your time! I received a few years ago a box of kitchen items when moving out on my own for the first time from my German born grandmother. Among the items was a set of flatware. After about 4 hours internet research I believe these to be of Dutch Origin, however the Makers Mark is impossible to find visually.

The pictures posted aren't perfect, but in the hopes of helping others in the future searching the forums text based I will describe all 4 stamps on each piece.

1st -
Unusual circular stamp with the mark GZ intertwined and a dot on the right side of the stamp

2nd - A standing lion with tail risen facing right in an elongated hectagon shape. There is a key on each piece (indicating they were exported from my research) which varies slightly from piece to piece.

3rd - A profile of a woman with the letter A stamped on the back of her head (Amsterdam?)

4th - A circle with a C in it which matches the 1912 dutch code dating on your hallmark pages.

I am grateful for any information offered but would really love to know who crafted these pieces. I am not looking to sell these - I just would like to know where they come from.







I included a very sad paint file I made to show more clearly what the symbols look like - please forgive my terrible drawing "skills" :)



THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!!!!
.

[alexx]

I forgot to include that in the 2nd mark of the Lion & Key - there is a number 2 printed in the hectagon as well.

Thanks!!!
.

[silverport]

Hello

Welcome to the Forum.

Your "skills" in drawing, making photos, and describing the case are excellent! And they are a sounded and great help for research as well; thank you there fore!

Maybe the makers (or retailers, if it's not out of own production, but buy from other manufacturers, like e.g. Royal Begeer, or Van Kempen) are:

A. Groen & Zurel, A'dam

The time frame of their activity match as well as I know.

But let's wait for other opinions, or maybe confirmations.

Kind regards silverport
.

[silverport]

Hello alexx

The signification of »Lion 2« in a hexagonal cartouche = second standard = 833-1,000 silver fineness = was the most usual one.

And the »key« is a sign of out of The Netherlands exported items; text: »Uitvoerstempel. Merk bij uitvoer. Groot en klein. Wet van 18 Sept. 1852. S. 178. Te slaan over het gehalteteken. Bij wederinvoer word teen tweede afslag van dit teken aangebracht.« *

Translation:

Export mark. Struck by export on large and little items. Law of 18 Sept. 1852, page 178. To be struck on the fineness mark itself. By re-importation would be struck a second time this export mark.

So it’s visible that these items of Dutch origin where once very officially exported out of The Netherlands — but so it seems to be, never re-imported to there (officially).

* p. 46; Source: Elias Voet jr., »Nederlandse Goud- en Zilvermerken« - 8e druk - The Hague, Netherlands, 1975: Martinus Nijhoff. ISBN 90 247 1662 4

Kind regards silverport
.

[Margaux]

Certainly Dutch.
I believe it was made by J A A Gerritsen in Zeist, who worked with this hallmark between 1904 - 1924.
.

[mvandier]

Hello Alex,
The GZ is the hallmark of Gerritsen N.V. Nederlandse Fabriek van Gouden en Zilveren Werken, v/h J. A. A.
This company was based in Amsterdam and Zeist, which is confirmed by the A in the hat of minerva, for Amsterdam.
Regards,
Martin
.