Georgian Tea Caddy Hallmark Identification

[mdshd]

I was wondering if anyone in the forum could provide me with any assistance.

I recently acquired this item - I think it is a tea caddy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27525242@N00/295959680/

According to the hallmarks on the caddy and the cap (duty mark, castle, thistle, small case letter d in rectangular cartouche), it appears to have been assayed in Edinburgh in 1809-1810.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27525242@N00/295959682/

However, it lacks a sponsor's mark along with the assay hallmarks.

But, on the underside of the item are several very faint (they are worn down) marks: the word "Sterling". the image of a butterfly and the numbers "587".

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27525242@N00/295959692/

Is it possible that this item was imported into the UK from the US or womewhere else where it would be marked STERLING, and then assayed and sold in the UK?

Can anyone explain why or how an item could be assayed in Edinburgh without an accompanying sponsor's mark?

Any information would be most appreciated.

Thank you.
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[admin]

Hi,
I'll leave the Scottish marks to someone else, but the mark on the bottom is the maker's mark of the Merrill Shops of New York. A fairly small scale outfit, they made some nice objects and there work is usually of very good quality.
Regards, Tom

http://www.925-1000.com/american-mfg7.html

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[mdshd]

Thank you for your prompt and informative reply.

Any idea on how this item could be marked by a USA based maker who didn't exist until the 1890's, while allegedly being assayed in the UK in 1809?

Is the shape of the cartouche in which the letter is located as absolutely certain as the letter itself?

What I mean is, there is an Edinburgh lower case "d" in an OVAL cartouche that would date the item to 1882 - still puzzling, but less so.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.
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[Granmaa]

Here is a tea caddy of similar design to yours from 1916; this doesn't prove by itself that your marks are fake of course.



Miles
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[dognose]

Hi, I surpose it is possible that the makers mark could have been on another part of the caddy and has been erased when it was sold (secondhand) in the USA, and the new retailer put their mark on it ? One other thing that surprises me, is that there is a full set of marks on both caddy and top, I would have expected the top to have just makers mark and thistle, but the marks look good to me, regards Trev.
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