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Hi All. After many years of trying, I have still been unable to identify these two silver chatelaine type objects. They look as though they would hang from a belt and hold keys or other objects. I have wondered whether they may have been part of a priests paraphanalia. They are 9cm long and are quite heavy for their size. I have listed them in the South American forum as they have the number 10 in the hallmarks which may possibly relate to Brazil. The other marks are P and M. The items look to date from the 18th or 19th century. Would be grateful for any help!! Many thanks.
John

The “fist” is called the “figa” and you will see this element of design on spoons from Brazil. :: somewhere there is a list of Brazilian hallmarks commonly seen on silver, and I think I remember the number ten is associated with Brazil. :: I have owned a few figa spoons. ::

Hi Aguest. Thank you very much for your comments.

I think we both agree that the number 10 is associated with Brazilian silver. Unfortunately I can find no comprehensive list of Brazialian silversmiths so possibly we can never find the maker! I was not aware that the fist is known as 'figa'. Do you know whether there is any religeous connection to the 'figa'?

Kind regards
Joho

Interesting objects, would also think 10 dinheiros marks and likely Brazilian - but I'm not seeing a 'figa' (fig), which is a very specific kind of 'fist', unless there is a thumb in the correct orientation that you haven't shown, just looks to me like a hand holding a ring, more a decorative devise. Personally, not seeing a religious connection - is there a reason you suspect use by a priest?

~Cheryl

Hi Cheryl

You are correct, there is no thumb orientation which might have suggested a 'figa'.

I have no real reason to think it may have a religious connection - just that I believe that much of the early silver produced in Brazil was Church rather than secular and I could sort of imagine a priest having these attached to his belt. I wonder if there is any significance to their being a pair??

So far 3 - 0 to Brazil

John

I have seen the “hand” imagery in Catholic silver objects, but I came to the conclusion that it was more of a general theme of the Victorian era rather than Catholic specifically, although it does occur in Catholic silver objects. ::: I had a 14k gold pocket watch chain with a hand gripping a baton that moved back and forth, so is it possible that these are meant to be attached to a pocket watch chain? ::

Are the handles made of one piece of solid silver?

Hi Aguest

Interesting view on the possibility of it being a watch chain holder. I am not sure.......

Yes, the 'handles' are made from one piece of silver, folded over.

John