Postby ARGENTUM49 » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:22 pm
We will never know the maker. 13 means either Austria and Germany. A ``zigzag line`` is the place from where a sample of silver was taken by the assayer to measure the purity.
``13`` is poorly struck. Many fakes are seen with this ``sample`` zigzag chiseled - off line. It would indicate 18th century and earlier. I have seen only several early 19th century pieces with this sampling technique. Please, do not rely on hallmarks only, it is the easiest way to make a mistake: first of all, you must understand the technique, in short, ``how it’s made`` and the whole object must be observed. Even the picture is not enough: early silver was heavy and hand embossing, chiseling and engraving are easily recognized. Can you post the picture of the object?