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18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:10 am
by Granmaa
Does anyone know the maker of this spoon, maker's mark BI with crossed arrows mark?
Miles

Re: 18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:42 pm
by oel
Hi Miles,
I am afraid we are looking at spurious marks, BI most likely the faked mark of the Frisian master Bernardus Jelgerhuis I, who has been active in the city of Leeuwarden during 1716-1766, known for apostle spoons. The city mark of Leeuwarden, being the Lion Rampant and year letter are missing and I believe the crossed arrows to be another pseudo mark.
http://www.zilverstudie.nl/bio/jelgerhuisbernri.htmlBest,
Oel.
Re: 18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:22 pm
by Granmaa
Thank you, Oel.
When and where do you think it was made?
It also has a French bigorne mark.
Miles
Re: 18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:19 pm
by oel
Hi Miles,
Look what is suddenly crawling in, a Bigorne? French Ordinance of 1st July 1818, a system of countermarks on the opposite side of the guarantee mark. These countermarks are known as "bigornes". I like to know which French guarantee mark is opposite the bigorne? Agewise, my guess is as good as yours but I keep it around the turn of the 19th century perhaps you should try the French section.
Best,
Oel
Re: 18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:33 pm
by Granmaa
Re: 18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:38 pm
by oel
Hi Miles,
Pseudo marks with French import mark for silver called the Weevil. Silver items from French treaty countries were struck with the weevil in a rectangle mark, used 1893-1984. Fineness minimum .800. For more info see;
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31287Best,
Oel.
Re: 18th Century Spoon, BI Maker
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:39 pm
by Granmaa
Thank you, Oel.