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Found this 138mm engraved with J.A. fra Moder that appears to bear a makers mark of GH or GB. Google identified it as Danish. Would this be considered a provincial piece since it does not bear any of the standard marks that one associates with Danish silver?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Warren

Let's see if we can assist this process by adding additional images of this spoon.

In Norwegian it translates from your parents, so I would not dismiss Norway.

Thank you AGHEAD,

That actually makes more sense doesn't it considering the lack of other marks. May I ask does it also translate into Danish, Finnish, or Swedish? GH does seem more plausible over GB.

Warren

The Google translation that "Moder" would be "parent" is incorrect (Parent is "forelder" in NO and DK). Moder is mother in both Danish, Norwegian and Swedish (in Finnish - äiti). Both Finland and Sweden can be excluded because the marks are not according to either country's official marking standards and the word "fra". What is left would be Norway or Denmark. Which one of those is an indeed good question. I would suggest Denmark because I have good Norwegian sources and cannot find any suitable Norwegian master marking "GH" up to 1950.

Of course the spoon could be made anywhere else in Europe hence the engraving does not indicate its origin.

Thank you Q your imput is always appreciated.

Just reviewing the possible Danish masters in 925, the earliest GH or G.H. was active in 1943, the rest starting in the mid 1950s. As to the initials GB/G.B., G. Binau Copenhagen 1893-1937 was the closest in time period in relation to the style of the pattern as I saw it.

Produced in another country, certainly possible. Yesterday spotted the same pattern on another site, maker and country not identified.

Warren

Moder and not mor/moder the M tel me that its pre 1958.

However the spoon is definately around 1900 could be 1880ties. I am traveling and have no silverboks so i cannot check master if danish.

Forgot to tell that in Norway they used Danish spelling before 1907. Norwegian and Danish languages are very closely related. The spoon has been dated to around the turn of the century. Therefore it is almost impossible to say is the engraving Norwegian or Danish. Nonetheless, I would still bet on Denmark as country of origin.

Thank you so much gentlemen, your insights into the Danish and Norwegian languages as well as putting a timeframe on the production of the pattern is extremely helpfull.

While we're waiting to see if we can ascertain a particular Master to these marks would you feel comfortable discussing the pattern's context within Danish design? Have a friend whose leaning towards Arts and Crafts, at is not what I see. Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Art Deco were a reaction against more traditional patterns and motif.

There appears to be nothing cutting edge about this pattern. The thick barely twist stem, flat rectangular finial with engraved floral spray, and titled gold wash bowl appears to be very firmly grounded in more traditional concepts. Would George Jensen, Marcus Hammer, or David Anderson have added their mark to this design, not at all.

It's a simple straight forward piece that our great grandmother's would have been very comfortable with. It spoke to the time and the perception of the woman who had it engraved as a gift to her child. And it is just as valid to us who care fore and preserve those her memories.

These are just my perceptions do feel free to disagree.
Warren

I search for a match yesterday. But found none. Two letters made by 2 punch are not common. A hallmark with 2 letters should be one punch. I.e. 1 punch before later that is more likely. (where before is 19th chentury and before - and later is 20th)
The twisted handle i rather common design. Made by several silversmith.
The final is not one I have seen before. But Again everu silversmith made different.

The engraving was set an occation - most likely not babtism, but could be a birthday. (13)14, 18, 25 - or some occation where something special for the receiver. Mooving to another place.

The rokalje dates from rococo time - used Again in neo-rococo around late 19th Century. Before the skønvirke. (skønvirke = Danish jugend)
Guilding of bowl could be. Wery likely when for jam or mustard. So guilding is not uncommon.

Its a very common piece. Denmark would use most lykely plate - so a silver is a valuable thing. We would use plate - so this is a thing to save and remember your mor (mother) when using in the future.