www.925-1000.com

I am so pleased to have found this very informative site. I look forward to finding out information on several pieces that are part of a 200-piece collection of tea strainers, tea balls and tea infusers. Perhaps I will have some information to share with others. I hope so!

The strainer that is pictured is said to be a Dutch piece. Although I think I have identified the mark of the Minerva head, I cannot confirm whether the "M" specifying the date is 1846 or 1922. I have no clue about the "VR" or possibly "VB" mark on the front of the handle. I suppose it is the mark of the maker. I wish I could tell him or her what a fantastic artist he or she is. What a fun piece. You can see why I want to know as much as possible about it. Thanks for whatever infor any of you can provide!

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

Hello,

Welcome to the forum.
Dutch strainer, all the marks are a little malformed but I believe the date letter to be the M for the year 1846. The maker’s mark malformed but could be VB in a rectangle for; Volkert Brouwer with shops in the cities of Deventer, Zwolle and Kampen, date registered 1828/1865.
The standard mark the Dutch lion is not shown at any of your images.


Oel

Thank you Oel! You are correct. I did not find the standard Dutch lion that I can identify. There are couple of obscure marks that I cannot identify. I am including pictures of them now. If you think either of them could be a mark rather than part of the decoration, please let me know and I will try to get better pictures. Thanks again! Tom

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

Hi Tom,

Standard mark not shown could be hidden somewhere in the decoration or lost. To prevent forgery of the hallmarks, those were spread over the parts of the object.


Oel

Thank you Oel. This is a very elaborately decorated piece. I will take a jeweler's loop and give it a close look and see if I can find anything that may look like the lion passat. I wills end pictures if I do. Thanks, again for your insight. Tom

Oel! I found it!!! You were right on. It was hidden on the side in part of the decorative area, completely away from the other markings. Here ya go with the pics:

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

http://s1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... inypic.jpg

Well done and Lion Passant for 2nd standard; 833/1000 fineness or 83.3% pure silver.


Best,

Oel

Trev,

I thank you for the confirmation. Wow, this is fun to uncover the secrets of the silver artists!! I am sure to have even more hidden that I will be asking about!

Regards,

Tom