Austrian Maker & Pattern

[admin]

Hi,
I've seen this same pattern with the Alexander Sturm maker's mark and have also seen both Sturm's and this "oak leaf" maker's mark on identical Josef Hoffman design hammered silver sphere bottle stoppers. I'm wondering if Sturm used this oak leaf as an alternative mark or if it is for another firm.
The assay mark on the piece is post 1922 Vienna.

Thanks, Tom

[blakstone]

The oakleaf was the mark of the firm of Vincenz Carl Dub (1852-1924), whose silversmithing and luxury goods shop dated back to 1838, when it was founded by his father, Thomas Dub. Alexander Sturm (1851-1915) was married to V.C. Dub's daughter, hence the connection.

[admin]

Thanks Blakstone, lost my Neuwirth 1867-1922 in a fire back in 2001. Still waiting for a lottery win to replace it.
I've come across Dub pieces in the past, but always with a VCD mark. The familial relationship makes a great deal of sense in explaining design crossover. I know Prof. Hoffmann had a working relationship with Sturm c.1900-1905 and then again in the late 1920s. Do you know if he also had one with Dub?

Regards, Tom

[blakstone]

No, I don't know if Dub had a working relationship with Hoffman, but I think there was a close connection between Dub and Sturm.

Sorry to hear about the fire!

[admin]

Thanks, good to know.

Tom