Snuff box hallmark help!

[silsella]

Hi,

I have a snuff box that is hallmarked beneath the lid with a makers mark and lion passant only. Does anyone have any idea on the likely date and origin of the box?

I would appreciate anybody's thoughts on this.

[Tongtwister]

Hi,

my guess would be either George Burrows (II) or George Brasier. Unfortunately there were several makers around at that time with the "GB" mark so we cannot be sure. Date will be pre-1784, but hard to pin down any closer than that without a good picture of the overall item.

If you have a look at silversugartongs.com, there is a whole bunch of "GB" makers marks that I have ascribed to George Burrows II - and most likely several of them will not be correct!!

Regards

[silsella]

Many thanks for the info Tongtwister, I will check out the site you recommend.

[buckler]

I agree heartily with Graham. This mark occurs also frequently on buckles and I spent a long time at Goldsmiths' Hall looking at the copy registers for George Burrows and George Burnetts marks to tie them up with my specimens. And very frustrating it was too. I must confess I'd not considered George Brasier. The conclusion I came to was that some of my buckles may have been Burrows (not proven) , one may have been Burnett (not proven) and several were definately neither. Another problem was that several London speciments matched George Bowyer of Birmingham's mark perfectly. Perhaps he assayed in London as well as Birmingham although Grimwade does not include him in the London registered provincials .

Personally in my data base many London GB's are classed as "one of the ubiquitous GB marks "

[silsella]

I've posted a picture of the overall item. Does this help with the approximate date, or provide any further info? Thanks.

[buckler]

I would think around 1780
Makes me jealous anyhow !

[silsella]

Thank you for your comments.