Is This a Groningen Mark on These Spoons?

[ronenros]

I recently acquired a set of four large spoons with gold wash bowls, the stems with a figural lion head with crown and flags and a lion rampant at the end holding two shields. Three of the spoons are stamped with "3", the letter "H" and what looks like "CP". The fourth is stamped with what looks like a conjoined LM and "8E". I was wondering if the CP was Cornelis Papinck. Am I off-board here, or are these Dutch? Can anyone enlighten me as to age and purity?

Thanks!

Ron

[oel]

Hi,

Yes Groningen, please show separate images of all four spoons and marks, and please check for some little and/or small marks.
Your second image; the Groningen city mark an oval with a horizontal beam in the middle combined date letter; 3 (to indicate third alphabet) above H, should be for the year 1661/62 but is often seen as a fake. The monogram CP conjoined for; Cornelis Papinck II ( 1671-1709) is known to be faked.
Your third image, 8E not for Groningen and I believe it to be a fake mark(s).
Your fourth image, fake Groningen date letter and CP conjoined, see above.

The Exhibition of Old Arts & Crafts silver in Amsterdam, during the year 1880, triggered many silversmiths in Groningen and Friesland to start making copies with fake Groningen city guild marks; year letters and fake maker’s mark. The fake spoons have wrong ornaments and are often too big or too heavy compared with the originals.




Oel.

[ronenros]

Oel,

Thank you very much for the insights. The marks shown are three separate images from three of the spoons. The fourth is similar to the other two that are marked "3 H CP", but poorly struck. All four spoons are identical in form. There are no other marks that I can see anywhere on the spoons. Yes, stylistically, more in keeping with the 19th century. I was suspicious, because finding a set of four like this with the iconography present, all in a leather presentation box, didn't appear to conform with 17th century manufacture, but I wasn't sure. They are a little heavy looking - total weight is 372 grams for the 4 spoons and each measures 7 3/8" in length. I've attached more photos.

Thank you again for your help. I would welcome any further comments that you might have.

Best regards,

Ron

[oel]

Hi Ron,

Yes, made turn of the 19th-early 20th century with fantasy marks and ornamentals to impress potential buyers. The silver standard may be below Dutch legal standards because it lacks any Dutch (hall) marks for 1st standard 934/1000 or 2nd standard 833/1000. Perhaps you could have it tested.

Best,

Oel.

[ronenros]

Thank you, Oel,

Yes, I will test for silver content. I really appreciate all of your help

All the best,

Ron