Need to identify if silver or plate & WHAT THE HECK IS T

[cody7]

I have had this 11" Seal balancing a rod for many years and have attempted to determine first of all what it is, the purpose of it and second to find out what the bottom silver marks represent and lastly if it is silver or plate or ??. I would appreciate any information I could obtain so all or a part of the mystery can be solved.
[img][img]http://i.imagehost.org/0965/DSCF3414_Standard_e-mail_view.jpg[/img]
[/img]
.

[2209patrick]

Hello and welcome.

That's a silverplate mark used by the Forbes Silver Company. Check here:
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_F.html

Not sure what you have there.

Pat.
.

[admin]

Is there a hole in the bottom plate?
.

[Granmaa]

Could be a ring stand/tree for a seal catching hoops theme.

Miles
.

[cody7]

Hello and welcome.

That's a silverplate mark used by the Forbes Silver Company. Check here:
http://www.925-1000.com/silverplate_F.html

Not sure what you have there.

Pat.

Thanks so much Pat. I searched the encyclopedia but there is so much information, could not find it.
.

[cody7]

Is there a hole in the bottom plate?

No hole in the bottom, solid plate, weighs 1 lb. 7oz. Seal is solid not hollow.
.

[cody7]

Could be a ring stand/tree for a seal catching hoops theme.

Miles

Thanks Granmaa. That was my first thought also but the rod is so long - 9", I thought that someone, who had this in mind must have have had a ton a rings!!
.

[admin]

Probably a cocktail muddler.
Tom
.

[MCB]

Hello Tom,

At such a weight it's some cocktail mixer! Is it for producing large quantities at one go (or for dealing with really strong drink)?

Very interested in how you know!

Shaken but not stirred.
Mike
.

[dognose]

Looking at the clues, a seal is often associated with the cold and also often depicted balancing a ball on its nose, so could this be a novelty serving piece that had a ball of hard ice cream formed around the rod?

Trev.
.

[Granmaa]

What was one meant to do with the napkin rings once one had taken the napkin out?

Miles
.