What do I have??? Sterling silver chalice?

[dannymc24]

Hello,

I have a sterling silver chalice or cloisonne? that was passed down to my mother from her mother. My grandmother received the piece from a catholic priest who she was very good friends with. The priest used the chalice only during special ceremonies and gave it to my grandmother for safe keeping. When my grandmother passed away, my mother inherited the piece.

It has very detailed enameling and small jewels. It appears to have a gold wash exterior but that could just be the unpolished finish. The piece is wide at the top becoming narrow toward the center and becomes wide again toward the bottom (The measurements are in the pictures). There are four lion faces decorated around the narrow portion of the cup, which gives it a Russian vibe. I unfortunately do not have any detailed information regarding the origin.

Thanks for any information or assistance you could provide!

The markings have a stamped "sterling" vertical on one side with an italic "S" on the other side. Below the S is a marking i cannot figure out. I am not even sure what it is. Possibly a picture or a foreign inscription.

Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated as I am looking for origin date.

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-Danny

[dannymc24]

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Ok I found out how to post a picture, my apology.



Here is the stamp.

Danny

[dragonflywink]

Hi ~ Welcome to the forums. Please see David-Andersen:

David-Andersen

~Cheryl

[dannymc24]

Cheryl,

Thank you so very much for that information. An auction dealer just sent me an email containing the same name with a date of ~1940. Now...off to research a little further. Again, thank you for taking time out of your day to help me out with this. After 3 days on the hunt I finally have a name!

Danny McCarthy

[oel]

Hi, Cheryl,

Using http://www.925-1000.com/david-andersen_marks.html I have a problem to recognize the mark of David Andersen, turned the image around but without success, it drives me nuts, could you please guide me through the process?
Thanks,

Oel.

[dragonflywink]

Heh - not sure there was really any kind of process, have just seen that fancy sideways 'S' paired with the David-Andersen hammer & tongs countless times, instantly recognizable, and confirmed by the quality of the piece.

Danny - it's a lovely item, and believe it more likely dates to the late 19th-early 20th century rather than ~1940, and with the 'Sterling' mark, was probably intended for the American market. Have seen the same combination of 'STERLING/sideways-S/hammer & tongs' marks on souvenir spoons made by D-A for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and the same 'sideways-S/hammer & tongs' on pieces with British import marks from the 1890s and a bit later, as well as on numerous other pieces that would appear to be of similar dating. If I recall correctly, the hammer & tongs mark was first used about 1888 and was out of use by 1939.

Please see 2nd picture, left side, for a piece of similar form, though a bit simpler in execution: David-Andersen - Page 4

~Cheryl

[oel]

Hi Cheryl,

All clear, thanks for showing! The fancy sideways 'S' perhaps we should add your third picture to the forums page of the David-Andersen marks.

Best,


Oel

[dannymc24]

Cheryl,

You rock!! The information/detail in your explanation is extremely helpful. Thanks again to everyone.

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