Totally perplexed by these stamps

[declan]

I am not even sure that this object is Dutch so forgive if it's not! It's a silver pin tray but I can not find any of the marks in my research. Can anyone help?

[silverport]

Yes, (possible die) cast Dutch Silver, with pseudo marks.

Hello »declan«

Yours plate is Dutch Silver; but all marks are pseudo marks. No actual maker, or date of production, could be identified - the item is maybe of recent production.

(By the way, for witch reason who ever, the marks picture of you is mirrored!)

Mr. K.A. Citroen, the famous researcher of »Oude Zilveren voorwerpen« (»Old Silver items«), shows in his 1977 published publication of forged marks, found in Nederland, and on items of Dutch origin, more then 600 examples.

The pseudo marks were used in many silver workshops in the areas of Amsterdam, Den Haag, Groningen, and Schoonhoven.

Yours combination of marks is found on several items of hollowware; Citroen, p. 70 comb. d, (p. 73 comb. bb)

Now clockswise (not mirrored) from »12« to »3« to »6« to »9«:

Incomplete imitation of Amsterdam mark (here 2 croses only); Citroen, p. 48, nr. 387

Incomplete imitation of the workshop mark of »Epke Hoytes«*; Citroen, p. 60, nr. 515

Imitation of a Dutch fineness mark, or sign of »Leeuwarden«; Citroen, p. 54, nr. 438

Imitation of a date letter, or years mark (of not specific place); Citroen, p. 14, nr. 34

* Epke Hoytes, master (workshop) in Bolsward, and in Amsterdam.

Source: Citroen, K.A. - »Valse zilvermerken in Nederland«; Amsterdam, New York, Oxford 1977; ISBN 0-7204-0522-X

Kind regards silverport