Unusual hallmarks on a silver table spoon

[ansella]

Hi, I'm new to this forum so hopefully I'm doing this right? - I have run out of avenues to explore and am hoping that you guys might be able to help me identify the origin and maker of this spoon?!

I've handled a fair bit of silver including provincial, continental, American and eastern silver but am completely stumped with this set of hallmarks. The hallmarks are on a fiddle pattern table spoon approx 9" long and weighing 80g. The crest I believe is that of the Swinton family (Berwickshire). The spoon tests conclusively as silver.

http://oi51.tinypic.com/21b3gjp.jpg
http://oi51.tinypic.com/kduxle.jpg
http://oi56.tinypic.com/xkvuyb.jpg

The marks appear to be: GS (maker?) what looks like an eye, a possible winged creature playing a lute or carrying a bow, and the letter U. Incidentally, don't know if it is relevant, but I would suggest that the 3 hallmarks have been struck as a single stamp as they are perfectly uniform in size and alignment.

I initially thought that the marks may be some obscure Scottish provincial marks but I haven't been able to find anything similar. I have also explored possibilities including the Channel Islands, Wales and Ireland but no joy. I wondered whether the marks might be import marks but I can't find a match. I have trawled the various silver websites and books but not come up with anything.

Any help / insight / guidance greatly appreciated, thanks, Al.

[rat-tail]

Hi Al
Checked and no such marks in Weltz so you can rule out Cape silver - what few resources I have on Australian or Canadian silver turned up a blank - Nothing on the forum's Indian colonial site - sorry not much help - good luck - Frank

[dognose]

Hi Al,

Welcome to the Forum.

I'll confess to be fasinated by this mark. It would appear that the mysterious 'GS' was an incurable romantic, as the mark is a rebus: 'Eye' - 'Winged Cupid with bow' - 'U', = 'I Love You'.



Just a shot in the dark, but perhaps this piece was part of a set made as a gift from the silversmith to his wife.

Trev.

[ansella]

Hi guys,

Sorry for not checking back sooner - am still trying to unravel this mark but keep drawing blanks.

Frank, thanks for looking.

Trev, well spotted on the romantic inference and possible associated gifting - the most plausible (and certainly my favourite) idea so far!

Cheers, Al.