Doubtful About Country of Origin

[dognose]

Hi,

A friend has a hair brush struck with the maker's mark of Thomas William Dee & Sons of London, and also with a French weevil import mark:
















TW above D above HL - London - 1859


TW above D above HL

I have doubts about the origin of such a item, to me, this looks more like Russian work than English, and I have never seen such a fitting for the brush head on an English piece. It would be great to hear the thoughts of others as to who this work can likely be attributed to.

All thoughts appreciated.

Trev.

[JLDoggett]

If I saw it without marks I would be looking to Russia first, mainly the Kiev area. the engraving reminds me of the prep for niello work, not really popular in England... though in that work the turquoise would be in separate rim that was applied with wires or small tube rivets. curiousner and curouser.

[dognose]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the input. Your thoughts about a possible base for niello work are especially interesting, I hadn't considered that, but now you said it, it seems logical.

Trev.

[AG2012]

This scent bottle was made by Henry William Dee, London,1869.
Looks like the same technique and Dee family (one of the sons?).
I think it`s not real niello, but hand engraved and oxidized silver gilt.
Regards

[dognose]

Hi AG2012,

Thanks for your input. Yes, Henry William Dee was Thomas William Dee's son, he continued the business, along with his brother, Louis, as H.W. & L. Dee.

The image you posted makes an interesting comparison and perhaps shows the brush was not untypical of their work.

Trev.