tongs

[questingmoose]

Can these marks possibly be Russian?

The only marks that I have found on your site that look similar to these are the 84 zolotniki and the assayer's marks athttp://www.925-1000.com/Frussia.html.
Please see the images linked below.
Thank you.
Mike

http://i49.tinypic.com/2rpy8hl.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/24qtnv6.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/21l7sjp.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/2z859gn.jpg
.

[Postnikov]

Hi -

your sugar tongs are more or less in the taste/design of that time period 1860 - 1917 in Russsia but I do not believe that they were made in Russia - the style is not Russian.
The marks are pure phantasy and definite not Russian.
Maybe France (silverplate=84) or Persian (silver 84= 875/1000) and a little bit "russified".
Some Russian examples:



Regards
Postnikov
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[blakstone]

While I am loathe to disagree with Postnikov, I must say that these look like perfectly legitimate marks for Kaluga to me: the city mark (an Imperial crown above the waves of the Oka river) is quite clear, with a less distinct date (1876? 1886?). Postnikova-Lovesa gives an unidentified maker "AB" working there 1873-1883. And I see nothing stylistically that would preclude them from being Russian.

Just my opinion.
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[Postnikov]

Hi -

blakstone is absolutely right!



Sorry for my mistake!

Regards
Postnikov
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[questingmoose]

Blakstone & Postnikov,
Thank you very much for all your help.
How the tongs came to be in my grandmother's silver is a mystery to me.
Perhaps she and my grandfather found it California when he was stationed in Hawaii about 1917.
Best to you all.
Mike
.