Unknown Irish maker - IE in unusual punch

[bstaunto]

Hi team,

Another maker's mark I haven't been able to track. This one is on an Irish sugar bowl, dated Dublin 1798. The decoration may be a little later?

Most probable maker appears to be James England (1791-1815), but it is an unusual maker's mark with the dots surround the initials IE in a not rectangular shape.




Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Ben

[scorpio]

Ben, sorry to have to tell you that the initial E encircled by small beads is a fairly modern forged mark. Douglas Bennett refers to this mark in Irish Georgian Silver, pages 241-2 saying both the Dublin and London Assay Offices are aware of it.

Gordon

[scorpio]

If you purchased this sugar bowl from an auction house or dealer, return it immediately and hopefully you will get your money back.

[scorpio]

In my previous post I meant to say 'initials IE encircled by small beads' not initial E encircled by small beads'.

Here is one of the five examples of the forged IE mark shown by Douglas Bennett.

[bstaunto]

Well that's disappointing! But a pretty clear match.

At least its my first piece of forged silver (that I know of!).

I might get a silversmith friend of mine to punch a cross over the top of the fake hallmarks.

Still its a nice looking piece at least. :/

Thanks Gordon.

[scorpio]

Sorry to have been the bearer of bad news Ben. The sugar bowl is quite similar to one Bennett shows with forged marks for 1798 with the IE mark. Disappointing yes but don't feel too bad about it, Bennett says many an antique dealer has been caught out by these forged marks.

Gordon