Russian Faberge agate, 56 gold & silver plate coin bowl

[renata]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone is familiar exactly if this is the original Faberge hallmark. Any thoughts would be appreciated on whether this bowl is original or not.

The medal is Peter The Great's commemorative medal of Narva battle.
One of the hallmarks that could be a double-headed eagle seems very poorly made as is the one that is supposed to be (I presume) woman in a scarf. I'm not sure this is normal. The bowl is said to be from agate, however I haven't got an idea if this really is agate.
Does Faberge hallmark look like it could be original?

http://www.webcreating.co.uk/faberge/gurt.jpg
http://www.webcreating.co.uk/faberge/coin-closeUp.jpg
http://www.webcreating.co.uk/faberge/full-bowl-top.jpg
http://www.webcreating.co.uk/faberge/upsideDown-bowl.jpg
http://www.webcreating.co.uk/faberge/full-bowl-2.jpg
http://www.webcreating.co.uk/faberge/full-bowl.jpg

Thank you

[Dad]

Hi, renata.

I'm sorry. But it's bad item. The marks are false. Stone is jasper.

(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

Best Reg..

[renata]

Thank you, Dad.
For the future, how can I tell the difference between a real Faberge hallmark and replica - having looked it up they always look a tiny bit different, it's confusing.

[Zolotnik]

Hi renata -
as everybody knows, Fabergé was one of the most famous artists in Russia - known for his outstanding quality, precision and superb workmanship.
Please compare with the cheap and ugly, sloppy made object you show. The coin is copper/plated (!), already showing the copper (red arrows) - the marks are wrong, blurry, unprecise and much too large (green arrows). The mounting is brass - not gold (Russians preferred red gold, not yellow gold) etc. ,etc. The whole composition is phantasy and senseless.


Some authentic Fabergé marks to compare




Regards
Zolotnik

[renata]

Zolotnik, thanks for information. Yes, the medal is silver plate copper as this medal was only ever made in copper.
As to the gold coloured mounting ring in which the medal is set, it is around 3mm width. What should be the exact measurement of the Faberge hallmark stamped on a 3mm wide edge?

Is it possible to tell copper from gold just with the help of a lens?

Thanks!

[Zolotnik]

Hi renata -

What should be the exact measurement of the Faberge hallmark stamped on a 3mm wide edge?

Not larger!

Is it possible to tell copper from gold just with the help of a lens?

No!

I suggest you learn the bases of silver, gold and hallmarking first...

Regards
Zolotnik

[AG2012]

Peter The Great medals or coins are very expensive but replicas are readily available at less than $50,possibly a few Soviet rubles at the time.They were made even legally by numismatic associations.As for the bowl,they are obtainable within the same price range from China,unless hand carved.I suggest boiling water - it would do no harm to either metal or jasper - I bet it was simply glued to the bottom.Then check the gold ring; at least you will have a few grams of scrap gold to reimburse a bit,if gold at all.Btw.the initials of S.Yudin who engraved medals to celebrate several Peter`s victories.Or even better,keep it as it is - a nice peanut bowl.

[renata]

First of all, thanks for all of you who gave good practical advise, it made me think twice!

We have agreed to not complete the transaction even though I have to admit the bowl looked absolutely stunning in real life - the picture doesn't do it justice! The ring wasn't magnetic, so most likely gold and had pink hue.

To be honest, Faberge mark that looked relatively ok to me, because I'm inexperienced, didn't look so any more when viewed through a lens: the stamp is slightly grainy around the edges of the letters, either made by casting into a mold or even more likely by dripping tiny droplets of metal to make the shape of the letters! And the woman in a scarf stamp wasn't as much a woman in a scarf with city stamp next to it as a man in a wig or similar.

I would still buy for half the price if it wasn't stamped with something it is not - a very nice peanut bowl, indeed :) My husband said the medal most certainly is either genuine or indistinguishably good copy as it is originally quite inexpensive anyway as Zolotnik has mention already.

Thanks everyone for giving your opinion

[AG2012]

Bronze Galvanoplastik der Medaille, mit glattem Rand; versilbert
Bronze galvanoplastic of the medal with smooth edge, silver plated.
``Condition:New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item``
There are even late 19th century re-strikes. .
Please, do not expect the medal being from Peter the Great period, it would cost $$$$$.The original of this one was made in 1702.
They are museum pieces.

[renata]

Czar Peter the Great medal commemorating the capture of Narva, 1704
Engraver: S. Udin and an unknown engraver "I". Size: 50mm. Bronze. etc., etc.
Superb condition, bright stamp gloss.

(the screenshot is from a very well-known Russian numismatics resource)
Original was bronze and in an immaculate condition is not an expensive or rare medal, especially 100 years ago.